It took about a week of galloping before we got to Xuchang. Just as we had settled in at the inn, Meng De told me to go to the palace with her.

That’s right, the palace.

“Wa~ This really is impressive huh~”

On the way to see the Emperor Xian of Han, I was mesmerised by the sight of buildings made out of red bricks and grey tiles that were characteristic of ancient Chinese architecture.

(TL: Whatever there was in Xu state city was not concrete, but rather more ‘normal’ / traditional buildings that wouldn’t be too out of place in say a tier 2 or 3 city in China or even some Chinatown somewhere, and its the palace after all.)

I’d thought that I could only see such things in Zhuo state or Hengdian World Studios, but nothing beats the awe you get from seeing the real thing.

(TL: Hengdian World Studios is an actual place, it’s the biggest movie studio in the world.)

“Actually, the palace in Luoyang was 100 times more impressive than this before it burnt down.” Meng De said with a helpless smile. “This was something that was built in a rush after all. Honestly speaking, a comstruct like this isn’t fit for the Emperor.”

“Ah…”

Though it feels like she is bragging, just from the size of the burnt wreckage, I could tell she was telling the truth.

There shouldn’t be a Forbidden City in this era right. Speaking of which, if I let Meng De see what the Forbidden City from the future looks like, would she be as shocked as I am now?

(TL: Make her your empress and build her one!)

“We’re here.” Meng De said while we were still a few hundred meters away from the main hall.

We’re here already? Isn’t it still too early?

I looked at Meng De and saw her hand her sword over and say some words to the guard nearby in a soft voice before the guard ran over to the main hall.

(TL: Meng De’s weapon is like Liu Bei’s, a double edged sword. Compare with Yun Chang single edged Chinese broadsword.)

Oh, this I know. Looks like they are going to announce us in a while… No good, this is the first time I’m taking part in such a big occasion.

I tidied up my clothing and did the best I could to calm myself down.

“Xuan De, you look far too nervous.”

“Is, is that so?”

I lost all confidence in my mental fort.i.tude on hearing Meng De say so.

— Imperial Chancellor Cao and Governor of Yu state Liu Bei, enter the hall~~~~

(TL: Liu Bei’s full name has to be said because the royal family name is also Liu. The first Emperor of the Han dynasty is Liu Bang.)

(TL: I’m not good at translating these cultural things very well. I do my best, but try to have the image in your head of how the eunuchs or guards would announce the name and t.i.tle of the person seeking an audience and would call them to enter.)

A clear voice rang out from within the main hall. After Meng De heard it, she went ahead in the direction of the main hall and I followed.

Speaking of which–

“Meng De, though I am grateful for the appointment of Governor of Yu state~” I said, pausing as I was hesitant to continue, “But now that I’m the Governor of Yu state, what should I do? Should I go to Yu state?”

“No, you don’t need to do anything.”

“Eh?”

“Un, I gave you this position for the sole purpose of letting you settle in Xuchang.” Meng De patted my back as she slowed down her pace, “So no pressure at all. It’s just a t.i.tle. I have someone taking care of Yu state already.”

(TL: This is a true gigolo life right there. It’s like having a CEO / Chairwoman wife who appoints you as director of the board.)

Ah, since it’s just a t.i.tle, then I won’t say anything more.

While I do feel weird not having any actual power, it saves me quite a bit of trouble so that’s good.

“Ah, additionally,” Meng De seemed to have just thought of something and whispered in my ear, “Later when we go in and see the Emperor Xian of Han, do what I tell you to.”

Eh?

I didn’t get what she meant but followed her anyway, and was shocked when I entered the main hall.

There were more than a hundred over officials in a seiza position in the main hall. Though their clothing had differences here and there, it was not much. There were many people around but it unusually quiet, so quiet that I could even hear my own heartbeat.

(TL: I’m using seiza because kneeling isn’t quite right nor is sitting and everyone knows what seiza is.)

I followed behind Meng De who walked ahead toward the Son of Heaven, and used my peripheral vision to see the officials in a seiza on either side. For some reason, they all seemed like they were suppressing their fear and it felt like they were enduring some sort of pressure.

I want to ask why, but at the same time I didn’t dare to.

“…” Meng De who was ahead of me suddenly came to a stop and knelt down. Seeing that, I too hurriedly knelt down the same way. After I had knelt, Meng De said, “Greetings your majesty~”

— First of all, do not raise your head and look at the Son of Heaven. Only when the Son of Heaven has allowed it then you may do so.

This was what the most important thing Meng De told me before we stepped in.

“Ah, you’re already Imperial Chancellor Cao right. In any case, good work on conquering Xu state. Ari, ri– Achoo! Ah~ *s.h.i.+ku*~”

Wu… What a disgusting sound from sucking in mucus.

“Come, give me some straw paper… *Xing*~” He blew his nose, “Ah, much better… Ah yes, right, arise arise.”

What seemed like the voice of a little boy came from the throne… Ah, don’t tell me this little boy that doesn’t care about his surroundings is Emperor Xian of Han.

“Let me introduce you, this is the distinguished man I found during my Xu state campaign–”

(Xuan De, introduce yourself, quick.) Meng De whispered.

(Ah, oh.)

“Your servant before you is Liu Bei Liu Xuan De, Governor of Yu state. I have benefited from the kindness of your majesty and have specially come to pay my respects.”

“Liu! Isn’t that the same family name as me?” The little boy– Ah, no, Emperor Xian of Han excitedly said.

*Dong* *Dong* *Dong* *Dong* The sound of running footsteps could be heard drawing close. Seems like Emperor Xian of Han has come over.

“Raise your head and let me see…” Emperor Xian of Han said words that seemed more like he was choosing a concubine to me, and I slowly raised my head.

However, what greeted me was not the majesty I imagined a monarch should have.

Isn’t he just a snotty little brat?

And he still has a childish lisp so he’s probably only 4 or 5 years old…

And Emperor, you still have snot hanging down– Ah he used his tongue to lick it off.

“Aiya, Emperor please don’t run off your throne just like that!” A eunuch exclaimed as he ran over.

“You’re too noisy you stupid eunuch.” I didn’t think that the Emperor Xian of Han would throw a rebellious fit, “Don’t just stand there you stupid eunuch. Go and check the family tree and see what relation this Liu Bei Liu Xuan De has with me.”

“But… Th, the Imperial Court is still in session, we should–”

“What are you still doing standing there? Go get it!”

For some reason, the eunuch was terribly unwilling but had no choice and went to the back to get the family tree.

“Emperor why aren’t you wearing your shoes, you will catch a cold.” Meng De said in a light tone. “Please return to your divine throne.”

(Xuan De!)

“Ah, ah, I… Your servant is of the same opinion.” I said something along the lines of what Meng De said and quickly bowed.

— We beseech the Emperor to take care of his health!!!

As I said so, I could hear all officials in the hall get down on their knees.

“Though I don’t think it’s a big deal… Hai, fine. I’ll return to my throne.”

— Thanks be to your majesty!!!

These fellows… Are the real deal huh.

“Emperor, do I still have to bring the family tree out?” The eunuch from before came out and asked. Emperor Xian of Han nodded and the eunuch clapped in response, and 7 or 8 eunuchs carried the family tree in, which was in several stacks, and set it down in the main hall.

That’s a lot. But come to think of it, the Han dynasty is pretty long in the first place.

“Un, go check then.”

Well, that’s easy to say.

“… Hai~ Fine, I’ll check.” The old eunuch seemed very unwilling and unhappy as he rolled his sleeves up and began flipping through book by book.

I was still wondering why he was so unwilling. Now I know. Looks like he won’t be able to find anything even if he continues checking till tomorrow.

(Why is the family tree so thick~) I asked Meng De beside me.

(I heard that Gaozu had thought of names of his descendents, supposedly all the way up to 2,000 years from then.)

Isn’t he worried about repeating names…

“Liu Bei, Liu Bei (劉備)… Which one is it huh? This one? … Doesn’t seem like it, this is Liu Fen (劉奮).” The main hall was silent but for the old eunuch who was grumbling under his breath. “… Which one is it huh… Forget it, I’m not searching anymore!”

Not searching?! But…

I’d thought that the old eunuch would frantically kneel and kowtow and beg for mercy but he calmly walked to the side of the Emperor and said, “From the experience of your servant, this Liu Yu Zhou should be the King of Zhongshan, the son of the Emperor Jing of Han.”

(TL: The Zhou here refers to state, and Yu Zhou is Yu state. Addressing a feudal lord or governor by [Last name] [State] was a formal and respectful way of address.)

Experience!! He actually said based on his experience!!

(As expected, that eunuch is quite the devious fellow huh. The King of Zhongshan had more than a hundred children so it’s going to be hard to disprove this.)

(But didn’t we all just hear his grumblings?!)

“Oh~~~ Then in that case, you’re my Imperial Uncle then!”

He actually accepted it!!!

(TL: Background on King of Zhongshan – In those years, the Emperor would grant fiefs to his sons who aren’t the crown prince. Feudalism was a very big thing in the Han dynasty. And yes, supposedly he was a super womaniser.)

(TL: In the original, Liu Bei was indeed said to have been descended from the King of Zhongshan but with such claims, one should always take it with a pinch of salt.)

I’m only just 17, and I’m getting called uncle already…

(Say your servant does not dare to a.s.sume that.)

“Your servant, does not dare a.s.sume that.” I bowed as I said so, following Meng De’s instructions.

“Don’t need to be like that– Ah, Achoo~~~ Ah, sneezing sure feels noce~~”

“…”

His mucus nearly landed on my face.

“Ah, I seem to have caught a cold. *Xing*~~ What was that again… Ah, right, Court is adjourned.” Emperor Xian of Han waved his hand and then got up.

All the officials then got down on their knees which I mimicked.

As for Emperor Xian of Han, he merely waved his hand once more and left. After the Emperor left, all the officials then left quietly and orderly… I didn’t think they would be so well-behaved even when leaving.

So the Emperor Xian of Han is a snotty little brat huh. I wonder if he will become better when he grows up. So I thought while I wiped the mucus that had landed on my face.

“… So, Meng De, did you invite me to Xuchang for the sake of letting me meet that (kid)?” I specially lowered my volume when mentioning the Emperor Xian of Han.

“How can that be~” Meng De laughed as she got up.

“But that is…” I was doubtful of her answer as I got up as well.

“I got you to come here solely because I wanted you to accompany me.”

Ah?

“Accompany you??” I asked before I could get up fully.

“Un, n.o.body in Xuchang will chat with me after all.” Meng De was still smiling but the smile seemed to mask a loneliness behind it.

Perhaps it’s really like she said, that she just wanted company. Not only is she a woman who is above all but one, she has also shaped a villainous image of herself. It’s little wonder that she has no friends.

But at the same time, I am 100% sure that it is but one reason of many. Apart from this personal reason, Meng De definitely has more big picture considerations.

“What about your subordinates? You can chat with them right.”

“Haha, about that.” Meng De went ahead and exited the main hall, and I followed. “Because they are my subordinates, they are people who will be fighting for me. I’m afraid that if I chat with them too much, I’ll hesitate to make the right decisions on the battlefield.”

“…”

That is understandable. After all, one cannot be enc.u.mbered by personal feelings on the battlefield. But, that’s not what bothered me about her reply.

As we were talking, we had walked out of the main hall which was the most elevated part of the palace, and thus one could see the entire palace from here.

“And anyway–” Meng De looked at the palace before continuing. “Perhaps it’s a recent problem I’ve been having but I can’t quite trust others on some things.”

“Eh?” I let out a questioning grunt unwittingly.

“Yes, now the only one I can fully trust is myself.” Meng De laughed. “This has probably influenced my personality.”

Paranoia.

This is a necessary trait of Cao Cao. Nothing odd compared to the one I know. But now that I’m right in front of the anti-hero at such a time, I can’t not say anything.

“But Meng De, don’t you know?” I said softly. “By doing this, you will only isolate yourself.”

Meng De looked at me, from her expression I probably have a pained look on myself.

“I know. How can I not know?” Meng De’s smile never fell as she continued, “But when you walk alone, you can go faster right? And I’m confident in the path I choose.”

“That’s not the problem here…”

By walking alone, you can indeed travel faster but if you meet with any trouble then you have to shoulder it all alone.

“You know what’s my recent maxim?” Meng De reached out with one hand to the sky, probably to block the sun.

“I’d rather let the world betray me, than betray the world myself.”

As expected, the Cao Cao before me should be like that.

— Your responsibilities will be heavy and the journey will be long.

“Though I know how you think, do the people know?” I asked a realistic question. “Won’t the people just think that you usurp and control the Han?”

“That is indeed how they think.” Meng De said as she put down her hand. “Besides, even if I try to explain myself, people’s minds can’t be changed that easily.”

“Un…”

As I looked at Meng De’s smile, I couldn’t help feeling hurt for how she must be feeling.

“Forget it. My path will have to be walked by me in the end. The things I do will be judged in the future as a part of history.” Meng De raised her head once more and her signature confident smile floated up on her face again as she walked ahead proudly.

Meng De really is strong.

I laughed helplessly and hurriedly followed her.

(TL: The actual quote is reverse. ‘I’d rather betray the world than let the world betray me!’ Cao Cao supposedly takes shelter in the home of a friend. He happened to overhear the servants sharpening their knives and asking do we tie them up first or no, and he thought they were after his life. He then killed them all only to realise they were talking about cooking.)