Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Gilded palace lanterns cast a swaying halo of light on the coiled dragon caisson ceiling. The emperor's crown tassels trembled slightly as he looked at Liu Bei, who sat at the banquet with a solemn expression. A smile played on his lips. "Uncle, how can all this fine wine and delicacies not bring a smile to your face?" He raised his hand to invite him, and the sound of stringed instruments in the hall became more melodious. "On this auspicious occasion of the new year, we should enjoy ourselves to the fullest."

Liu Bei's knuckles turned white as he gripped the wine cup, the wine seeping from the cup's walls sliding down the grooves into his palm. Outside the palace, the chill wind carried the faint sound of war drums, as if reminding him of the brutal fighting outside the city. He looked up at the emperor sitting high on the dragon throne, the twelve emblems on his crown gleaming coldly under the lamplight. He said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, the Western Liang cavalry are at the gates of the city, and my second and third brothers are leading their troops in a desperate battle. I have no desire to feast. Amidst all the singing and dancing, doesn't Your Majesty feel uneasy?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall suddenly fell silent. The nobles stopped putting down their wine cups, leaving only the crackling of agarwood in the copper censer. Lü Bu leaned against a beast-shaped table, fiddling with the jade belt around his waist. Suddenly, he scoffed, "Uncle, your words are strange. Are you trying to spoil your majesty's mood?" The painted halberd made a sharp sound across the red carpet, startling the dancers below so much that their skirts froze.

The emperor's hand trembled slightly as he held the Nine Dragon Jade Cup, causing tiny ripples of wine to slosh through the cup. "Don't worry, uncle. The walls of Chang'an are impregnable. I believe the Xiliang rebels will..."

Liu Bei abruptly left his seat, his wide black sleeves sweeping down the jade chopsticks from the table. The crisp sound pierced the stagnant air in the hall. He cupped his fists and bowed deeply. The jade beads on his hair crown swayed slightly with his movement, reflecting a cold light in the candlelight. "Your Majesty! I have something to say, and I feel compelled to speak it out!"

The emperor's smile froze in place. A flash of displeasure crossed his brows, hidden by his crown, but then transformed into a gentle smile. He gently placed the Nine Dragon Jade Cup on the gem-inlaid table. The gilded wine cups clashed with each other, making a crisp sound like ice cracking. "Uncle, please speak. Today is New Year's Eve, a time for the emperor and his ministers to rejoice together. Feel free to speak." Before he finished speaking, a sudden north wind blew in from outside the palace, carrying snowflakes. The wind shook several palace lanterns, and the whispers of the ministers in the dark became clearer and clearer.

"The beacon fires outside the city raged all night, and my second and third brothers' soldiers fought to the death." He raised his eyes and looked directly at the emperor on the dragon throne, his eyes burning with fire. "At this moment, the bells and drums in the palace are ringing, but I can hear the wailing of the people penetrating the palace walls - Your Majesty, can you really swallow this banquet?" Liu Bei asked solemnly.

The emperor raised his hand and stroked the patterns on the golden chair, the tassels of his imperial crown swaying slightly with his movements. A confident smile filled his eyes. "Uncle, the Xiliang rebels have been rebellious for several months under the banner of revenge for Ma Chao. As the ancients said, 'The first attack is strong, the second is weak, and the third is exhausted.' Although they are now aggressive, they are just a spent force." He picked up the jade cup and sipped it, the wine reflecting the swaying candlelight. "Chang'an's walls are ten feet high, the moat is five feet wide, and there is enough food and fodder to last three years. Once the rebels' momentum dissipates, they will inevitably fall apart due to internal conflicts of interest. Without Ma Chao to unite the people, it is only a matter of time before we can deal with Xiliang."

He raised his hand and pointed outside the hall, his tone becoming more and more confident: "Besides, we have Marquis Wen and generals Guan, Zhang and Zhao here, all of whom are powerful generals who can defeat ten thousand enemies. In the battle of more than a month, Chang'an is as solid as a rock and has not been damaged at all. Why should the emperor's uncle be so worried?" After speaking, the emperor raised his head and drank the wine in the cup, and the jade cup was placed heavily on the table with a crisp sound.

Liu Bei stepped forward, his dark robes brushing against the cool blue bricks, his bronze rings clashing with the melodious sound of a ring. "Your Majesty! Since the beginning of the war, our army has suffered repeated defeats, and twenty camps have been reduced to scorched earth." He suddenly raised his head, his gaze piercing. "The Western Liang cavalry crushed the Hangu Pass and came here in a rage of revenge, yet they remained completely steadfast in their duty to the people along the way."

The emperor's jade cup clanged against the table, gilded wine splattering on the hem of his dragon-patterned robe. Liu Bei, however, seemed oblivious, his sleeve brushing the snow on the steps. "I dare to speak frankly! When Ma Chao was executed, Your Majesty acted in a moment of rage. But the Western Liang cavalry, for ten years, guarded the border, keeping the Xiongnu from grazing their horses south and the Qiang and Di from drawing their bows and drinking blood. Is this military achievement to be completely erased by a single charge of treason?"

The hall was as silent as a grave, with only the agarwood in the copper censer emitting sparks. Liu Bei suddenly prostrated himself, the sound of his forehead hitting the ground startling the dancer's skirt. "The mistake has been made, and Marquis Wei is gone! The most urgent task is to pacify them! The tribes of Xiliang are only seeking justice for the death of their young master. If the court is willing to punish itself and pardon Xiliang, it will not only quell their resentment, but also allow them to use this fierce army. By then, we can repel the Xiongnu in the north and suppress the Qiang and Di tribes in the west, save the people from displacement, and restore peace to the border - this is the mindset that Your Majesty should have!"

The emperor suddenly slammed the table and stood up, the crown tassels shaking violently, and the twelve patterns twisted like snakes in the firelight. "Uncle, you are wrong! Ma Chao pointed his sword at the emperor and openly rebelled. Is this considered a merit?!" He grabbed the jade scepter on the table and slammed it to the ground. The crisp shattering sound startled all the ministers and nobles to tremble on the ground. "I have always treated Xiliang with kindness, bestowing gold and titles, but he repays kindness with hatred! Do you think I should let the crime of regicide go unpunished?"

Lü Bu leaned against the Panlong Pillar, slamming his painted halberd into the ground, sending dust flying from the tiles. He raised an eyebrow and sneered, the pearl on his earlobe gleaming brightly as he moved. "Lord Xuande, you and Ma Chao are brothers, but don't be foolish!" He drew out his words, each one sharp as a knife. "If the emperor wants his subjects dead, the subjects must die! Ma Chao, relying on his military exploits, has become arrogant. If he dares to rebel against the emperor today, he can slaughter all the ministers tomorrow! If even the crime of treason can be forgiven lightly, won't all the princes in the world follow suit?"

Lu Bu suddenly approached, the cold light of his armor reflected on Liu Bei's solemn face: "You are a relative of the Han Dynasty! You ignore the righteousness of loyalty to the emperor and speak for the rebels. Could it be that in your eyes, personal feelings are more important than the Han Dynasty?" He deliberately dragged out the last word. In the dead silence of the hall, only the light sound of his armor colliding with each other was heard, piercing the eardrums like a poisonous snake spitting out its tongue.

Liu Bei's face flushed crimson, veins throbbing in his forehead. He opened his mouth but was silenced by Lü Bu's sarcastic remarks. He stared at the emperor's sullen face, then glanced at the gazes of the ministers in the hall, some gloating, some secretive. The blood boiling in his chest dissolved into a heavy sigh.

"Your Majesty, I am truly concerned about military affairs outside the city..." He spoke with difficulty, his clasped hands trembling slightly, his dark sleeves drooping like dusk clouds. Without waiting for the emperor's response, Liu Bei spun abruptly, the jade pendant at his waist striking the coiled dragon pillar with a resonant sound, like the shattering of his sincere heart.

The heavy gilded palace door slammed shut behind him, and a cold wind, carrying the sound of distant war drums, blew in. Liu Bei looked up at the falling snow, and the snowflakes that landed on his eyelashes instantly turned into icy water droplets.

Wang Yun stroked his goatee, narrowing his eyes as he gave Lü Bu a look of approval. Seeing Lü Bu's head held high and chest puffed out with a haughty expression, he secretly admired the performance. He straightened his sleeves, stepped forward, and spoke loudly, "Your Majesty, please calm down! Your uncle is concerned about the war, and his words may be harsh, but they are truly an act of loyalty and patriotism. I hope Your Majesty will forgive him."

The flickering candlelight in the hall illuminated the calculating wrinkles in Wang Yun's eyes. He was well aware of the emperor's thoughts—Liu Bei's generals, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun, were all formidable, crucial pieces in balancing Lü Bu's power. How could the emperor easily become angry? This advice was merely a favor, a way to please the emperor without offending Liu Bei.

"Although the emperor's uncle's words are rash, his sincere heart is as clear as the sun and the moon." Wang Yun smiled and his tone became more earnest. "In these troubled times, we, the emperor and his subjects, must be united to resist foreign enemies together!" After saying that, he secretly glanced at the emperor on the dragon throne. Seeing that his expression had eased a little, he felt secretly proud in his heart that this drama was finally over.

Wang Yun suddenly clapped his hands and laughed, his robe sleeves sweeping off the gold tassels dangling from the table. "However, my uncle only saw the Xiliang rebels approaching, but never witnessed Your Majesty's grand plan over the past few years!" He took three steps forward, tears of admiration welling in his eyes. "Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have executed the traitor Dong, defeated Yuan Shu, defeated Yuan Shao, beheaded Ma Chao, and eliminated Sun Ce. Who among the princes of the world would dare not be in awe?"

The music in the hall suddenly stopped, and Wang Yun's voice echoed through the empty hall. He pointed at the dragon-shaped ceiling, and his aged voice suddenly rose: "In the past, the Yellow Turbans rose up, and the nine provinces were in turmoil; Dong Zhuo's misrule brought countless lives to the people. Look at today! Your Majesty raises his arm and calls the people to heal. This vast land is revitalized. This is a testament to your majesty's civil and military achievements!"

Emperor Liu Bian straightened up, his face flushed beneath his imperial crown. Wang Yun suddenly knelt down, banging his forehead heavily on the blue bricks: "I dare to advise you - the walls of Chang'an are as solid as a rock, and the Xiliang rebels are just trapped beasts fighting. When your majesty gives the order, we will cut the traitors into pieces and let everyone in the world know that those who offend the majesty of heaven will be punished no matter how far away they are!" These words were like a raging fire, stirring up the heroic spirit in Liu Bian's heart, and his palms on the dragon throne unconsciously clenched the dragon pattern on the armrests.

Liu Xie, the Prince of Luoyang, lifted the silver cup, his wide, moon-white sleeves cascading like flowing clouds as he gazed towards the dragon throne with a beaming smile. "My Royal Brother, you have masterminded the Han Dynasty's revival! Emperor Gaozu slew the snake, Emperor Guangwu revived the Han Dynasty, and now my Royal Brother has conquered the feudal lords, his achievements surpass those of our predecessors!" He raised his glass high, the amber wine gleaming golden in the candlelight. "Everyone, congratulations to the Han Dynasty! Congratulations to the Emperor!"

The ministers rose to their feet, the clang of jade tablets resonating like the sound of rings and pendants. Wang Yun was the first to cry out, "Your Majesty is wise and wise!" The chorus of praise from the courtiers shook the gilded palace lanterns slightly. Emperor Liu Bian's robes billowed, and the twelve emblems on his crown seemed to burst forth. He laughed heartily, his Nine Dragon Jade Cup echoing in the distant cups of his ministers: "Such achievements are but the preservation of the status quo!"

He suddenly took half a step forward, the corner of his robe sweeping across the golden steps with coiled dragons: "When the Xiliang rebels are defeated, I will personally lead the tiger and wolf army to flatten Jizhou!" A wolf-like fierce light flashed in his eyes, "Yuan Shao has been resisting stubbornly for many years. I cannot establish my authority unless he is eliminated! When the four seas are united, you will run the government with me and bring peace and prosperity to the world!" His voice shook the palace like a huge bell, and the ministers bowed to the ground. The sound of shouting "Long live the emperor" almost overturned the eaves of the Weiyang Palace.

The clinking of glasses in the hall grew increasingly boisterous. Emperor Liu Bian, drowsy, embraced a singing girl, his jade cup askew, wine dripping down the tassels of his imperial crown onto the coiled dragon table. Wang Yun, hunched over, pretending to adjust his robes, quietly moved to Liu Xie's side, pinching his sleeve with a bony finger. "Your Majesty, Lü Bu has just reported—the Western Liang army has built a battering ram and will soon attack the city."

Liu Xie's grip on the cup tightened suddenly, leaving bluish-white marks on his palm. Wang Yun lowered his voice, his words spitting out like a venomous snake: "Liu Bei is only resisting desperately. Now that Liu Bei has just left the palace, this is a godsend opportunity." He glanced at the drunken emperor from the corner of his eye. "If we don't act tonight, when Xiliang falls, we will all be buried with that tyrant!"

"But...but regicide is treason...are you fully prepared?" Liu Xie's Adam's apple rolled, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. Wang Yun suddenly grabbed his wrist, his cloudy old eyes bloodshot. "Your Majesty, even if we take a step back, I have already contacted General Cao Cao, the Eastern Expeditionary Army. He is already waiting outside Luoyang." His nails dug deep into Liu Xie's flesh. "What Xiliang wants is the emperor's head. If you show weakness now, you will not only fail to save the Han Dynasty, but also the people of this city!"

As the music faded, Wang Yun released his hand. "Even the death of the emperor won't appease their anger. Just leave Chang'an to them." He stepped back, a sinister smile playing on his face as he bowed. "Those who achieve great things don't dwell on trivial matters."