Chapter 75: Return to Wan City
Immediately, the entire city of Xiangyang was set in motion.
Huang Zhong and other commanders led tens of thousands of troops moving throughout the city.
The Cai clan—renowned as the most powerful family in the whole Jing Province—faced a sudden military assault that very night.
Inside the Governor’s Mansion, Liu Xie paced restlessly in the courtyard.
“Your Majesty, perhaps you should retire and rest,” Jia Xu suggested carefully. “Huang Zhong and the others are already handling the matter. I believe the members of the Cai clan will soon be brought here.”
“No,” Liu Xie replied. “I will wait right here. Go and tell Huang Zhong: bring every member of the Cai clan directly to the city gates. I will execute them all immediately!”
Liu Xie’s words radiated a murderous intent as he strode out from the mansion.
Jia Xu trembled at the order. Liu Xie had declared he would execute them all without hesitation. The Cai clan wielded immense influence throughout Jing Province—he would never have imagined Liu Xie would act with such ruthless resolve. But the Emperor’s command was absolute, and Jia Xu dared not protest further. He went to notify Huang Zhong.
Time passed slowly.
Several hours later, at the city gate, Huang Zhong and his men arrived, escorting several hundred prisoners—all members of the Cai clan. Each was tightly bound, their faces grim.
Behind them trailed Liu Biao, his legs shaking as he hurried over, wanting to speak but silenced by the scene before him.
“Your Majesty, all members of the Cai clan have been brought here!” Wei Yan announced loudly as he stepped forward.
Liu Xie waved his hand coldly.
“What do you intend to do?” voices cried out. “What have we done? Why are you arresting us?”
“We are a great family of Jing Province! How dare you treat us this way?”
Many among the Cai clan shouted in outrage and indignation, their protests filling the air.
Liu Xie only sneered.
“Do you feel wronged? You claim ignorance of your crimes? Is that so?” he shouted, his voice cutting through the clamor until the crowd grew silent.
“Hmph! Do you know who I am? I am the Emperor of the Han! And you—have you ever treated me as your Emperor? With that attitude alone, I could sentence you all to death. I will not tolerate anyone who does not respect the throne. And since you ask what the Cai clan has done—very well, I shall tell you: Cai Mao led his cavalry in rebellion. For that alone, I could exterminate your entire clan, nine generations deep. But I will not go so far—yet none of you shall live!”
A commanding imperial presence emanated from Liu Xie, his authority undeniable.
“Now, let the execution of these traitors begin. Bring them forth—slay them all!”
That night, Liu Xie unleashed a bloody purge. The soldiers who had followed Cai Mao into rebellion were dragged to the city gate and, with a sweep of blades, hundreds were executed in succession. Blood ran like a river at the gate, and all present were struck silent, stunned by the Emperor’s ruthlessness.
They had believed Liu Xie to be meek and indecisive, lacking both means and resolve. Now, they saw how wrong they had been.
“Listen, all of you!” Liu Xie thundered. “Every member of the Cai clan—kill them all! Huang Zhong, you will supervise the execution. Wei Yan, Gan Ning, Huo Jun, Wen Pin—you will now move to confiscate all Cai property. Seal every estate and asset belonging to the Cai clan!”
His orders given, the remaining members of the Cai clan were marched to the city moat and executed one by one. Blood suffused the city of Xiangyang.
That night, every enterprise and holding of the Cai clan in Xiangyang and throughout Jing Province was confiscated.
As dawn broke, a temporary platform was erected outside the Governor’s Mansion by imperial command. Liu Xie stood above, with all civil and military officials of Jing Province assembled below, surrounded by a vast crowd of common people.
Liu Xie began to speak, his voice carrying across the multitude:
“Hear me! Jing Province does not belong to any one family, nor does the realm belong to any individual or clan. It belongs to the countless common people. The people must have their own rights and authority, which no one may take from them. I say this: a city, a dynasty, is built upon the will of its people. I will not allow any clan to meddle in state affairs. Should any try, let the fate of the Cai clan be their warning!"
The people, hearing these words, were stirred with unprecedented excitement—at last, someone spoke on their behalf.
“Long live His Majesty! Long live the Emperor!” they cried, kneeling in reverence.
Whatever their private thoughts, the officials and generals of Jing Province, led by Liu Biao, also knelt and acknowledged Liu Xie as Emperor.
“I decree,” Liu Xie continued, “that all properties and assets of the Cai clan are to be seized and distributed among the people—every last coin, every grain of rice, every house and field. Nothing is to remain!”
This explosive proclamation sent a ripple of unease through many of the assembled officials and generals, for it meant the utter eradication of the Cai clan from Jing Province.
“Mark my words!” Liu Xie declared. “From this day forth, I will not permit any family to act with impunity. Should there be any, none will be spared!”
With that, Jing Province sprang into action. The properties and lands of the Cai clan were distributed among the people. Liu Xie’s standing among the populace soared higher than ever.
As the matter concluded, agricultural affairs began to be organized in an orderly fashion.
At the same time, another campaign began—conscription.
Within just three days, nearly 150,000 men had volunteered. This result greatly pleased Liu Xie, as did the new respect shown him by many officials and generals—a change evident in their interactions with him.
By the end of the two-week conscription period, 300,000 soldiers had been raised in Jing Province alone. Including the 100,000 Liu Xie had brought, the total standing force in Xiangyang and Jing Province was now 400,000—a prospect that thrilled many generals.
“Lord Liu, from now on, Jing Province relies on your command,” Liu Xie said calmly from his high seat in the Governor’s Mansion. “However, I intend to take several generals with me.”
“I await Your Majesty’s orders,” Liu Biao replied without protest.
“Huang Zhong, Wei Yan, Wen Pin, Gan Ning, and Huo Jun,” Liu Xie addressed the five. “Would you be willing to follow me to Wan City?”
These five were all formidable generals in history, and Liu Xie urgently needed capable leaders for his armies. He had chosen them specifically.
“We are willing to follow Your Majesty!” the five answered without hesitation.
“Very well. Lord Liu, I will leave the 100,000 soldiers I brought under your command. The full force of 400,000 in Jing Province is now yours to lead.”
Liu Biao accepted the charge, a sense of awe swelling within him. Never in all his years governing Jing Province had he commanded more than 200,000 troops at the height of his power—and now, the force had doubled.
“Now, I shall soon return to Wan City with my army,” Liu Xie announced. “This time, I must act.”
His anger at the alliance of five or six forces that had risen against him still burned. He had been caught off guard before, too preoccupied to respond. Now, with order restored, it was time for retribution.
A few days later, Liu Xie left 100,000 soldiers in Xiangyang, delegated by Liu Biao throughout Jing Province’s counties. Liu Xie himself, accompanied by Jia Xu, the five chosen generals, and several hundred guards, set out for Wan City.
“Gentlemen,” Liu Xie addressed his generals on the journey, “there are more than 500,000 troops stationed in Wan City. Once we arrive, each of you will be given command of a portion of this force. Prepare yourselves—many battles await us.”
“Rest assured, Your Majesty,” Wei Yan was the first to respond, ever the most eager. The others also pledged their loyalty.
Their willingness showed that they were beginning to acknowledge Liu Xie as their Emperor.
Two days later, Liu Xie finally returned to Wan City.
Even before entering the city, he saw Zhang Xiu, accompanied by Hu Che’er and several thousand soldiers, riding out to welcome him.
“Your servant Zhang Xiu humbly welcomes Your Majesty back to the city!” Zhang Xiu knelt and cried out with utmost respect.
With him, Hu Che’er and the soldiers all knelt in unison.
The truth of Liu Xie’s identity had already been revealed to Zhang Xiu when Hu Che’er returned to Wan City. When Zhang Xiu first learned the news, he was utterly dumbfounded, unable to believe that the man he had followed for over half a year—whom he had always called “Young Master”—was in fact the Emperor himself.