Fu Shou felt a faint tremor in her hands.
Ever since departing from Xuchang, she had already prepared herself for what awaited her in Ye City. Yet the reality before her still far exceeded anything she had imagined.
Scions of the Cao clan, powerful aristocratic families, renowned scholars, high ministers, veteran generals, and elite soldiers had all gathered here. These civil and military figures, nourished by Han stipends and Han blood alike, had together created a remarkably prosperous Ye City.
But unfortunately, that prosperity bore the surname Cao.
It had nothing to do with her or Liu Xie. Worse still, it had become their shackles.
Under such circumstances, the imperial physicians, merchants, and minor officers she had previously risked much to win over could do very little once they arrived in Ye City.
Wei Feng, whom she had connected with through her earlier network of loyal contacts, was useful enough. But in the end he still lacked steadiness and firm foundations.
The blood-written imperial edict from years ago remained vivid in her mind. Whether it was Dong Cheng and Consort Dong, now reduced to dust and mud, or the flames that had eventually engulfed Guandu, all of it had made Fu Shou understand clearly where the limits of her actions lay.
So she pondered that letter for a long time. Even when writing it, she remained repeatedly cautious. To strengthen its persuasiveness, she also enclosed the broken jade pendant she had severed years ago when Li Jue had threatened her.
Her intention was simple.
How was the present situation any different from the days when Li Jue held the Son of Heaven hostage?
Back then, Lord Jia had fulfilled his duty with loyalty and devised strategies to repel the enemy. Could she now place her trust in Lord Jia once more?
Ji Ben stood quietly to the side as the Empress hesitated again and again before finally opening the letter. A smile slowly climbed onto her face, still bright despite the hardships she had endured. At the same time, large tears rolled from the corners of her eyes.
Ji Ben remained silent. He had no curiosity about the contents of the letter, nor about whom Wei Feng might be contacting inside Ye City. He only knew that the Emperor and Empress now required his assistance. That alone was reason enough not to refuse.
So when the Empress composed herself, calmed her voice, and asked,
"Lord Ji, you once said that your two sons also wish to repay the state?"
Ji Ping stepped forward, bowed deeply, and replied,
"My father and my two sons, even in death, will be ghosts of the Han."
His stance needed no further explanation.
---
For Zhang Quan, however, constantly dreaming of himself becoming a mutilated ghost was far from pleasant.
Fortunately, as time drew closer to the end of the ninth month, a steady stream of military reports began to arrive, and Ye City grew increasingly tense. Under such pressure, Zhang Quan had no choice but to stir into action. He no longer had the leisure to dwell on his grandfather's remark about preparing a symbolic tomb for him.
To the northwest, in Shangdang, which directly affected Ye City's safety, Huguan was said to be already under siege. Lucheng had also fallen. Now Cao and Liu forces were locked in a deadly struggle at She County. Because of the strategic terrain, the fighting there could likely drag on for some time.
Meanwhile, Wei Commandery had also begun mobilizing. Troops around Qinghe and Zhao State were gathering toward Wu'an, clearly determined to prevent that army from breaking into Hebei.
Yet the place that could truly determine Hebei's fate lay in Henei.
Everyone knew that the main forces of the rebel leader Liu Bei were currently at Luoyang. If that army marched north in strength and seized Henei, then from Henei to Ye City there would be no more natural defenses at all.
For this reason, aside from the necessary garrison troops, all other forces in Ye City were being concentrated toward Henei. They were launching fierce attacks on Mengjin Pass and Xiaopingjin Pass, hoping to retake Luoyang, coordinate with Chancellor Cao's main army in Yingchuan, and crush the rebel forces in a pincer movement.
But unfortunately, Huo Jun, who guarded Mengjin, relied on the natural barrier of the Yellow River and held the pass firmly. The Cao forces in Henei could not advance a single step.
With Ye City threatened from two directions, public opinion within the city suddenly became loud and chaotic.
Most people believed that since the imperial uncle had not been defeated at Red Cliffs, had swept through Jingnan, entered Yi Province, seized Hanzhong, stabilized the Three Qin, and now truly recovered the old capital Luoyang, was this not proof of Heaven's favor? Clearly the Mandate still lay with Liu and the Han. Perhaps tomorrow the armies from Shangdang or Luoyang would already be at Ye City's gates.
But others argued that Shangdang's natural defenses were strong enough for complete reassurance. Liu Bei might have taken Luoyang, but who did not know that Dong Zhuo had burned it to ruins? Not only could it not supply grain, Liu Bei might even have to distribute provisions to the surrounding populace just to maintain his reputation for benevolence. Burdened by his own fame, he would surely be defeated.
Mixed among these arguments were also people from places like Xuzhou and Wancheng who had personally witnessed massacres and war disasters. They stirred the waters with cold sarcasm and bitter remarks.
Even someone as slow to notice things as Zhang Quan could sense that a storm was gathering.
---
"From tomorrow onward, until matters in Ye City are settled, you need not come anymore."
Inside the quiet hall, his grandfather's calm voice sounded especially clear, making Zhang Quan's heart jolt.
But when his father had still been alive, he had always told him never to question any of Grandfather's decisions. So he instinctively asked,
"When will things be considered settled?"
The question made Jia Xu fall silent for a moment. Then he simply shook his head.
"If something unforeseen happens, or if you wish to leave Ye City, go to this place. It will keep you alive and can send you back to Liang Province."
He pushed over a slip of paper with an address written on it. Zhang Quan read the name aloud.
"Jin Yi… the Jingzhao Jin family that runs the paper shop in Ye City? He's actually your man, Grandfather?"
As for his grandfather's own safety, Zhang Quan was not worried at all. Once, when his father had drunk too much, he had joked in a half-careless tone that even if Cao Cao died, Jia Xu would not.
"I do not possess such ability,"
Jia Xu chuckled softly and did not explain further. Instead, he urged Zhang Quan to think carefully about whether he had any other unfinished matters, since after today's parting, no one knew when they would meet again.
That only made Zhang Quan more curious.
If Jin Yi could be spoken of like this by Grandfather, and seeking him meant survival, then who stood behind him? A prince of the Cao clan? A noble from the imperial family? One of the great clans of Jiangdong?
Surely it could not be Liu Bei himself?
---
But thinking of Cao's sons reminded Zhang Quan of the rumors currently swirling through Ye City's streets, most of them involving the two princes.
Chancellor Cao had long been absent from Ye City. Government affairs were handled by the two senior secretaries of the Chancellor's office, Wang Bi and Xin Pi. Military matters were overseen by General Xu Chu and General Liu Ruo.
Yet beyond these civil and military officials, someone also needed to remain as resident authority.
Originally, Chancellor Cao had likely believed the southern campaign would end quickly. Before departing, he appointed Cao Pi, styled Zihuan, as Palace Gentleman of the Five Offices and concurrently Vice Chancellor, leaving him in charge of Ye City.
And his younger brother, Cao Zhi, styled Zijian?
Over the past year he had written several more essays famous throughout Ye City. He had also gotten drunk several times and even been sternly reprimanded by Vice Chancellor Cao Pi. It was said that at one banquet, Cao Zhi burst into tears after drinking because of this.
The question of succession had always been a topic in Ye City.
After the deaths of Cao Ang and the young Cao Chong, everyone knew the heir would almost certainly be chosen between Cao Pi and Cao Zhi.
A month ago, after Cao Zhi caused trouble while drunk and was scolded again by Vice Chancellor Cao Pi, rumors in the city somehow multiplied.
After all, the Vice Chancellor worked diligently, while Cao Zhi repeatedly disgraced himself with drunken behavior. People had seen enough examples of replacing the elder with the younger and causing chaos. Any reasonable person could guess the wiser choice.
But soon another story spread.
It claimed that the famed physician Hua Tuo had died unjustly in prison because he said the Cao family carried a hereditary illness that could not be cured. For that reason, the beloved Chancellor had him silenced.
The story spread rapidly. After all, one only had to count how many of Cao Cao's sons had died young.
Rumors also spoke with great certainty about Vice Chancellor Cao's fondness for sweets. If he developed wasting thirst disease in the future, people said, that would hardly be surprising.
Moreover, it was said that the Vice Chancellor's favorite cane sugar came from Jiangdong. And the sugar sold in Jiangdong came from Liu Bei's territory. Did that not suggest secret dealings with the enemy?
From what Zhang Quan had seen in the streets that day, the rumors were nothing short of spectacular. Some called for Cao Zhi to lead troops to rescue his father and prove himself. Others demanded explanations from the Vice Chancellor. Still others claimed the family's hidden illness was divine punishment for usurping the Han.
Yet with such unreliable stories flying everywhere, the Chancellor's office refused to involve itself. Liu Ruo and Xu Chu, who commanded the army, were never talkative men. Meanwhile, word came from the palace that the Emperor himself had praised Cao Zijian's literary brilliance and striking appearance.
Thus, with Chancellor Cao absent and no one able to decisively settle public opinion, the hostility between the two princes in Ye City only grew heavier.