Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

The emperor suppressed the rage boiling within him, feeling as if his head had been struck by a sledgehammer, his head aching and swollen with pain, as if it would explode at any moment. He spoke feebly, "Shi, quickly bring me the magic medicine." His voice was so weak that even he himself was unfamiliar with it.

Shi A hurriedly fetched the medicine bottle and carefully poured out a magical pill. The emperor eagerly took it, put it in his mouth, tilted his head back and swallowed it. Then, he slowly closed his eyes, leaned back on the dragon throne, and quietly waited for the medicine to take effect.

Time seemed to stretch indefinitely, each second testing the emperor's patience. After an unknown amount of time, a familiar coolness rose from his abdomen, quickly spreading throughout his body. The emperor's furrowed brow gradually relaxed, and a rosy glow crept back into his previously pale face. He took a deep breath, feeling instantly refreshed and invigorated, as if the previous rage and discomfort had been but a fleeting dream.

"Notify the court and have Yuan Shao's envoys come to the palace immediately. I will personally summon them." The emperor sat up straight, his voice regaining its former majesty, his eyes revealing unquestionable determination. He knew that the upcoming meeting with Yuan Shao's envoys would be a war without the smoke of gunpowder. He must give his all to strive for the greatest benefit for the court in this complex situation.

As Yuan Shao's envoy, Xin Ping was granted special permission to attend court meetings. However, until the emperor summoned him, he could only suppress his thoughts and remain silent.

The atmosphere in the majestic hall was solemn and dignified. The emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze slowly sweeping over the courtiers. Then, in a deep voice, he said, "My dear ministers, I have an important announcement to make today. Ma Chao has killed Yuan Shu, and Yuan Shu's forces have been defeated." The moment this news broke, the court erupted in excitement. The courtiers murmured and discussed the matter.

"How dare Ma Chao kill the princes so arbitrarily? He is totally lawless! He must be severely punished to restore order in the court!" A minister said loudly with anger on his face and indignation.

As soon as he finished speaking, someone immediately objected, "That's not right. Ma Chao served the court and successfully lifted the siege of Yangzhou, making great contributions. Now, not only is he not being rewarded, but he is being punished. This makes no sense."

Another minister stepped forward, frowning and worriedly saying, "That's nice to say! Although Yangzhou has been pacified, the governor of Yangzhou, Liu Yao, was killed by Ma Chao's sworn brother, Sun Ce. These two acted so recklessly and lawlessly. How can we deter the whole nation if we don't punish them severely?"

For a moment, the court was filled with endless arguments, with all parties deadlocked. Seeing this, the emperor slowly raised his hand, waved it gently, and said in a low voice, yet full of authority: "Shut up!" Everyone instantly fell silent, their eyes fixed on the ground.

The emperor straightened up, his usual languid demeanor shattered. His expression was stern, his gaze piercing. He surveyed his courtiers and declared loudly, "When Dong Zhuo disrupted the imperial government, I personally led a large army with the other princes to defeat him, and he was executed. However, Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao disobeyed the imperial order and attacked the other princes without authorization. I dispatched Ma Chao to lift the siege of Yangzhou, and Ma Chao's advance was unstoppable. Now, Yuan Shu has been beheaded." Emperor Liu Bian cleverly took all the credit for this series of achievements, as if everything had been accomplished under his wise leadership. Then, straightening his face, he declared with righteous indignation, "I have always upheld the principle of rewarding merit and punishing fault. Ma Chao has worked hard and contributed greatly to lifting the siege of Yangzhou. Now that Yangzhou is at peace, peace across the land is just around the corner. How can I rashly hold Marquis Wei responsible?"

At court, seemingly divided, the officials were in reality mostly representatives of prominent aristocratic families. Those advocating for a reward for Ma Chao weren't truly acknowledging his achievements; rather, they sought to elevate him to a high position, making him a target for public criticism, and then, when the time was right, to remove him. Those clamoring for Ma Chao's punishment weren't truly concerned with his faults; they simply sought to test the emperor's attitude. After all, Ma Chao's unconventional behavior had made the aristocratic families aware of the threat to their interests. If unchecked, their sense of crisis would only grow.

How could Emperor Liu Bian not understand these people's subtle intentions? He sneered inwardly, but remained expressionless. He waited until everyone had concluded their arguments before launching into his high-sounding speech. As expected, as soon as he spoke, the court erupted in flattery.

"Your Majesty is wise and brave, which is a blessing to our Han Dynasty! Such a decision is quite like the style of Emperor Wu of Han and the appearance of Emperor Gaozu. The revival of the Han Dynasty is just around the corner!" An elderly minister was the first to praise loudly, his face full of flattery.

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty has a keen eye and is very perceptive. You handled the Ma Chao incident just right. You are truly a role model for us." Another minister quickly echoed, with a flattering smile on his face.

Everyone was talking at once, praising the emperor to the skies, while the emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, nodding slightly, accepting everyone's compliments, secretly thinking about how to take advantage of the conflicts between various forces to consolidate his own rule.

In the court, flattering compliments poured in like a tide, echoing throughout the magnificent hall. The emperor sat high on the dragon throne, his expression composed, seemingly immersed in the praise, but in reality, he quietly cast a glance at Wang Jie. Wang Jie had followed the emperor for many years and had long understood his intentions. He instantly grasped the profound meaning. He stood tall and straight, taking steady and powerful steps. He walked calmly out of the court, clasped his hands together, and in a clear and resonant voice, he announced to the hall: "Your Majesty, the envoys sent by Yuan Shao are now awaiting your orders outside the palace. We respectfully await your summons."

Upon hearing this, the emperor's face perfectly expressed surprise, but then he frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes. His tone was filled with doubt and questioning as he spoke, "Oh? Yuan Shao has always disregarded the court's authority, refused to obey my orders, and is currently engaged in a relentless battle with our army. What are your intentions in sending an envoy at this critical juncture? Where is this envoy now? Summon him to an audience immediately; I wish to hear what he has to say."

Following the emperor's order, Xin Ping steadily emerged from the procession of courtiers. His expression was respectful and solemn, each step steady and measured, fully demonstrating his professionalism and accomplishment as an envoy. Reaching the center of the hall, Xin Ping methodically adjusted his attire, ensuring a dignified and appropriate demeanor. Then, he slowly knelt, performing a smooth and precise bow. With the utmost humility, he quietly awaited the emperor's question. A momentary hush fell in the hall, and everyone's attention was focused on Xin Ping.

The emperor looked indifferent, looking down at Xin Ping, and said, "Since you are Yuan Shao's envoy, what is your request? Please tell me.

Upon hearing this, Xin Ping's face immediately became filled with deep trepidation. He bowed slightly, clasped his hands together, and bowed respectfully. He then spoke aloud, "Your Majesty is wise and wise. Please allow me to explain. My lord, Yuan Shao, has been blessed by the Emperor for generations. He is loyal and righteous, dedicated to serving the people and abiding by the law. He has unwaveringly guarded the northern border for Your Majesty. For many years, he has worked diligently, never slacking off, and devoting all his energy to maintaining peace and security in this region, ensuring the safety of the people and ensuring that all under his rule can live and work in peace and contentment."

"This conflict with Gongsun Zan was not my lord's original intention. Gongsun Zan, disregarding the tranquility of the border, recklessly launched an invasion, burning, killing, and looting wherever he went, causing untold suffering for the people. My lord, concerned for the safety of the people, was forced to respond with an attack to protect the border and its people. My lord has always respected the court and revered Your Majesty's majesty. He absolutely does not want this war to cause misunderstandings at court or cause Your Majesty to doubt my lord's loyalty."

"In fact, even at the outset of the war, my lord had been urging Your Majesty to mediate the conflict between the two sides. However, the ever-changing situation on the battlefield, the numerous military duties, and the complexities of his affairs prevented him from expressing this wish to Your Majesty in a timely manner. Now, my lord is fully aware that the suffering of the war is all innocent civilians. The devastation and widespread suffering are truly tragic. Therefore, my lord has sent this humble servant to come here with the utmost trepidation to implore Your Majesty's grace to allow a ceasefire between the two sides. If so, it will be a blessing for all people, and my lord will be deeply grateful to Your Majesty and will serve the court with even greater dedication in the future."

As Xin Ping's earnest speech concluded, the court was instantly engulfed in a hum of discussion. Ministers murmured among themselves, their expressions varying: some thoughtful, some calculating, others nervous, their brows slightly furrowed. They appeared to be discussing quietly, but in reality, they were all stealthily glancing up, their gazes subtly glancing towards the emperor in the main seat, trying to glean the slightest hint of intent from his expression, to divine the supreme ruler's decision.

After all, which of these courtiers in the palace was not born into an aristocratic family? The intricate family interests bound them tightly together.

The emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, overlooking the ministers discussing their affairs below, chuckling inwardly. How could he possibly have known the thoughts of these officials? Their every move, every thought, revolved around the interests of the aristocratic families. However, the situation was delicate, and he had already weighed the pros and cons. Accepting Yuan Shao's request for peace now was a favorable option for the court.

The emperor's expression straightened, and he spoke slowly, his voice steady and powerful, echoing throughout the hall: "Since Benchu ​​(Yuan Shao's courtesy name is Benchu) is willing to cease hostilities and seek peace, I am deeply pleased. I have witnessed Benchu's years of defending the borders for the imperial court. Now that he is so sincere, I shall certainly grant his wish."

The emperor paused briefly, his gaze sweeping majestically around his courtiers before continuing, "Both sides must cease hostilities immediately. Yuan Shao must discipline his troops, strictly guard the borders, and protect the people. From now on, you must focus on governing the local area and improving people's livelihoods, reducing taxes and levies so that the people can rest and recuperate. You must not rashly launch military action over minor disputes, disturbing the people and disrupting this hard-earned peace. If you violate this order again, don't blame me for being ungrateful; I will punish you according to the law."

When Wang Jie heard the emperor so readily agree to Yuan Shao's request for peace, he stood there stunned, his face filled with disbelief. He stared at the emperor with eyes wide open, bewilderment and confusion in his eyes, as if silently questioning the emperor's decision.

Wang Jie saw this as a golden opportunity. With Yuan Shu dead, the once powerful faction had collapsed, leaving only Yuan Shao holding out. He believed that by mobilizing Ma Chao and other powerful generals, their valor and exceptional military prowess would surely lead to a decisive defeat of Yuan Shao. Once Yuan Shao was pacified, the world would be free of major wars, ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity. How could such a promising opportunity be abandoned so easily? Wang Jie's lips moved slightly, as if he were about to offer a response, but the emperor's stern expression made him swallow his words back, his heart still swirling with resentment and doubt.