Chapter 98: Preparations Before Reascension to the Throne

The matter was settled just like that.

Xiaoyun immediately stayed by Liu Xie's side.

She was very obedient and began to busy herself right away—serving tea and water, washing clothes, cooking meals.

She managed everything around Liu Xie with impeccable order.

With her there, Liu Xie felt his life had become much easier.

Yet, his thoughts remained with the palace maids still in Xuchang.

They had helped him a great deal when he escaped.

Now that his situation had improved, he worried about them.

This filled him with a sense of guilt.

“Your Majesty, it seems you have something on your mind,” Chen Gong observed.

Liu Xie nodded lightly.

“Yes, when I fled from Xuchang, those palace maids were of great assistance.”

“They were originally sent by Cao Cao to watch over me.”

“But they have been working for me all along.”

“Now that my circumstances are better…”

“And they…”

Liu Xie did not hide his feelings.

He spoke openly about his concerns.

This was a matter he had to face, for the fact that they had helped him was undeniable.

“Your Majesty, do you mean…”

“You want to bring them here from Xuchang?”

Chen Gong immediately saw through Liu Xie's thoughts.

Liu Xie nodded in agreement.

“But, Your Majesty,” Chen Gong cautioned, “Xuchang is Cao Cao’s territory.”

“And if you bring the palace maids out…”

“Cao Cao might retaliate against their families.”

“And if you bring their families as well…”

“Your Majesty, the number would be too large and diverse.”

What Chen Gong said was indeed true.

Liu Xie understood this very well.

Yet, despite the difficulties, he was unwilling to give up.

After all, these people had helped him.

He did not want to be ungrateful.

Even if he ignored them, it would not affect him greatly.

They were ordinary, inconspicuous folk.

If they died, no one would care.

But Liu Xie refused to treat them that way.

He was not like Cao Cao.

“It seems, Your Majesty, you still intend to bring them out.”

“May I ask, do you have a plan?”

Chen Gong saw how persistent Liu Xie was on this matter.

Liu Xie shook his head gently.

“I have yet to devise a plan.”

“This matter, I will see through.”

“I will not abandon anyone, even if they are merely palace maids.”

“I won’t.”

“But Gongtai, you are right.”

“This is indeed a difficult matter.”

“But I will not give up.”

“I will bring them out.”

Liu Xie spoke with firm resolve.

Chen Gong, listening to these words, was somewhat moved.

He began to feel that Liu Xie was a man of loyalty and sentiment.

He slowly realized that he had not followed the wrong person.

“All right, let us return to Jingzhou as soon as possible.”

“I shall establish the imperial capital in Xiangyang!”

Liu Xie had been contemplating the matter of the capital for a long time.

To be honest, Luoyang was the best location.

But, alas, he could no longer go there.

Luoyang had long become Cao Cao’s territory.

Now, he only controlled Jingzhou and Yizhou.

Between these two, the best candidates for the capital were Chengdu in Yizhou and Xiangyang in Jingzhou.

If Liu Xie placed the capital in Chengdu, it would not be impossible.

But he felt Jingzhou was more important.

Because Jingzhou held a crucial position in the geography of the realm.

Establishing the capital in Xiangyang would better safeguard Jingzhou.

As for Yizhou, it could serve as the storage for troops and provisions.

His greatest rear base.

Thus, Liu Xie’s decision to settle the capital in Xiangyang was based on this reasoning.

“All right, we shall choose a day to return to Xiangyang.”

“I will build the imperial palace there.”

“The day the palace is completed…”

“Will be the day I reclaim the throne!”

At that moment, Liu Xie’s heart brimmed with generosity.

Though he had once been emperor before, now, as a man from the 21st century ascending the throne anew, the feeling was altogether different.

The next day, after briefing Zhang Lu on all matters, Liu Xie led his army toward Xiangyang.

“Your Majesty, you intend to entrust Yizhou to Zhang Lu alone?”

“Aren’t you worried about trouble?”

On the road, Chen Gong expressed concern.

Liu Xie smiled calmly.

“Are you afraid he will rebel, Gongtai?”

“Rest assured, he won’t.”

“Besides, I will not entrust him alone.”

“After we return, I will send General Hu to Yizhou.”

“And also some generals formerly under General Lü’s command.”

“They will all assist Zhang Lu there.”

“This way, Zhang Lu cannot rebel.”

Liu Xie had considered these possibilities.

Yizhou was vast.

If he left it solely to Zhang Lu, a rebellion could destabilize his rear.

However, he was not worried.

He had stayed in Yizhou for a month, working with the people.

With agricultural development and the punishment of countless bullies and villains, the people deeply respected Emperor Liu Xie.

Therefore, he trusted Zhang Lu would not act improperly.

“Your Majesty, building the palace in Xiangyang will require immense manpower and resources.”

“I estimate the construction timeline will be tight.”

“As for recruiting labor, that should not be a major problem.”

Chen Gong was already pondering these matters.

Indeed, constructing a palace was no small feat.

The materials and labor needed were substantial.

“No rush,” Liu Xie said.

“Besides, we will pay our workers.”

“No matter who comes, they will not work for free.”

Yes.

In this era, it was common for the government or court to conscript free labor.

Salaries were rare.

But Liu Xie was different.

He paid the people for their work.

As for materials, Liu Xie fell silent.

Not because he was worried, but because he already had a plan.

He knew very well that the mineral resources in Jingzhou and Yizhou were abundant.

If they were fully mined, the materials for building the palace would be secured.

Moreover, Liu Xie was not concerned about the mining itself.

After all, he had his construction troops.

When they were in Nanyang, their numbers had reached nearly one hundred thousand.

After taking all of Jingzhou, the construction troops numbered three hundred thousand.

Among these three hundred thousand were many experts.

Certainly, there was no shortage of those knowledgeable in mineral extraction.

Thus, all these considerations were forming clearly in Liu Xie’s mind.

After nearly ten days of travel, Liu Xie finally returned to Jingzhou, to Xiangyang.

Inside the Jingzhou Governor’s Office, Liu Xie sat atop a high seat.

Below him were Liu Biao and his entourage from Jingzhou.

Following the recent battle in Yizhou, many had begun to acknowledge Liu Xie as emperor.

At least, their rejection of him had lessened.

“Everyone, I believe they have already informed you,” Liu Xie spoke softly.

“I intend to reclaim the throne.”

“And I plan to place the imperial capital here in Xiangyang.”

“What do you all think?”

Liu Biao and the others immediately knelt.

“Your Majesty, your wisdom is unmatched. We shall do our utmost to assist you,” Liu Biao declared loudly.

The others said nothing, but showed their agreement.

“Good, since that is so.”

“I shall build the imperial palace here in Xiangyang.”

“You will all become the first ministers of our new Han dynasty.”

“Let me say this first.”

“When I reclaim the throne, I will not mistreat anyone who has fought alongside me.”

“But let me speak plainly.”

“If anyone seeks to sabotage what we have built together…”

“Do not blame me for dealing with you harshly.”

Here, Liu Xie laid all the unpleasant truths bare.

The meaning was clear.

If you behave loyally, all will be well.

But if someone is ungrateful or foolish, like Cai Mao before, he would show no mercy.

He would exterminate them without hesitation.

“We shall obey the imperial command!” all responded in unison.

“Good. Lord Liu Jingsheng.”

“You will oversee the construction of the palace.”

“Lord Jia Xu, you will assist him. Both of you must cooperate sincerely.”

“Make sure no mistakes occur.”

Liu Xie made these arrangements.

“We obey the imperial order!” the two replied.

Liu Xie nodded slightly.

With Jia Xu involved, he felt reassured.

“General Hu, Zhang Liao, Zhang Wenyuan,” Liu Xie continued.

“And General Huo Jun.”

“You three may be stationed in Yizhou in the future.”

He looked at Hu Che’er and the others.

The three exchanged glances, somewhat puzzled by Liu Xie’s meaning.

“You know we have just taken Yizhou.”

“It is vast, and recruitment has not yet begun there.”

“Most importantly, we have no loyal men stationed there yet.”

“So I hope you will go.”

“Do you understand what I mean?”

Liu Xie looked at the generals earnestly.

Hearing this, their expressions turned serious.

They understood the great trust Liu Xie placed in them.

Sending his own men to Yizhou spoke volumes.

Liu Xie sending them meant he considered them his own.

Realizing this, their hearts stirred with emotion.

“We obey His Majesty’s command!” the three responded.

“Also, Lord Zhang Xiu.”

“Zhang Lu and the officials in Yizhou are not yet familiar with our situation.”

“So if you have time, please go to Yizhou and supervise.”

“Ensure everything proceeds smoothly.”