Vol 9 Chapter 2 (1/2)

VOLUME 9 CHAPTER 2: DON’T TELL ME THESE ARE THE VARIOUS REACTIONS (2)

I raised my hands and rubbed my face with them. It looks like I’m trying to wake myself up but I’m really trying to hide the panic on my face.

Ah… My perfectly laid out plans have all gone into disarray huh.

I wanted to see how far Xuan De could go with his benevolence and charisma, if the world can perhaps advance down a different path from mine but who knew that he would fall so early. Now all that’s left in this world is a hated anti-hero.

Xuan De, you left far too quickly. Now that you’re gone, I’m forced to advance my tyranny ahead of schedule!

When I thought of this, my heart filled with agony and my grip tightened to the point where I was digging into my flesh with my nails.

“By the way, Imperial Chancellor,” Cheng Yu said to me, perhaps because my countenance has improved, “If you understand the situation now then perhaps you might want to go to the main hall.”

“Un? Main hall?” I asked as I tidied my clothing and did my best to appear as presentable as possible. I haven’t moved in 3 days so perhaps I ought to take a bath as well.

But the main hall? Could there be an audience with someone today? I can’t really recall.

“Yes,” Xun Yu added, “You asked the Emperor to issue an edict a while ago to invite Ma Teng of Xi Liang here.”

Ah, now that I think about it, there was indeed such a thing.

Back when I paid a visit to Xi Liang, Ma Teng’s strength was rapidly increasing. Fearing that she might become a second Dong Zhuo, I got the Emperor to issue an edict in the hopes that she would give up her command rights and a.s.sume an official position in the capital.

“I got it.” After gathering my thoughts, I understood more or less what was happening and steeled myself as I got up. I was still a bit faint but I managed to stand up right on my feet with the support of the 2 on my side.

“I’m fine.” I said as I raised my hands. I’m not even 20 yet. Even if there is something wrong with me, I don’t need 2 people to help me about. Though I must say that my mental health has suffered a heavy blow.

“Well then, Cheng Yu, you will come with me.” I said as I walked over to Cheng Yu and clapped her shoulders before continuing in as casual a tone as I could muster, “The rest of you should disperse. It’s still summer and it’s a bit hot to gather around like this.”

As I walked out of the room, the sunlight shone into my eyes and I reacted like a barbaric caveman and covered my eyes. Once my eyes were used to the light, the corners of my mouth wafted up slightly like they were usually.

“My lord, are you alright?”

“Of course I am.” I did my best to answer Cheng Yu’s probing question in my usual confident tone and reminded myself to be calm. There is much to be sorrowful about but at present, I still have much more important work to attend to.

After pa.s.sing through the back courtyard, there’s the front courtyard. It’s just about 100 paces but even then my forehead was covered in sweat. Now that summer is in full swing, it’s either torrential rain or sweltering hot, clear days. I’m not someone who is afraid of the heat but I’m beginning to feel weak, perhaps because I’ve been sitting for 3 days now.

“But I never thought that the stubborn Ma Teng would actually be so obedient. I’d thought she would definitely not come.”

Back when the State Uncle concocted his ‘Edict in a Sleeve’ plot, I’d met Ma Teng in pa.s.sing. She also a.s.sisted me in my conflict

with Yuan Shao later on. In any case, she is the free-spirited type who isn’t beholden to anyone which is why my decision to send an edict to get her to give up her command rights was just a ruse to test the waters.

…. Testing the waters huh…. Now that Xuan De is dead, and the responsibility of saving the world rests solely on my shoulders, can I still proceed as leisurely?

I can’t be sure.

“That is thanks to Zhang Ji.” Cheng Yu replied.

“Zhang Ji?”

That name sounds familiar but I have no impression of this person at all. He or she is probably a Registrar or something of the same rank.

“What’s this fellow’s background?”

“Zhang Ji pa.s.sed the official examinations and showed excellent performance as a local official. Lord Guo Jia noticed Zhang Ji’s talent and brough Zhang Ji into the capital. Afterwards, Zhang Ji was sent to work in Liang and Yong state where Zhang Ji got to know Ma Teng. Zhang Ji was also the one who convinced Ma Teng to help us out in the Battle of Guandu.”