Ji Han Liu Zhang

The first year of Jian'an, the end of October.

Zhang Su, the envoy sent by Liu Zhang to Xu Du, and Zhang Su, the envoy sent by Emperor Liu Xie to Guanzhong, who conferred the title of angel to Liu Zhang as the King of Shu, with Liu Ai, the attendant, as the chief envoy and Shi Huan, the captain of the central army, as the deputy envoy. The three of them arrived in Chang'an together.

The angel Liu Ai, who had visited Guanzhong last time and conferred upon Liu Zhang the title of Grand Marshal and General of Chariots and Cavalry, now returned to Guanzhong. He had traveled all the way from Hangu Pass to Chang'an, and he felt a sense of regret in his heart.

There was no other reason, it was because Chang'an City was in a dilapidated state before, with broken walls, broken bricks and tiles everywhere, just like a ruin. But now, after not seeing it for several months, Chang'an City has been completely renewed.

All the waste stones, broken wood, broken bricks and tiles in the city were cleared away, and the dilapidated buildings were repaired. Although it was approaching winter, the city of Chang'an was bustling with activity, and the city's roads, houses, bridges and other facilities were being built and improved in an orderly manner.

These scenes fell into the eyes of the Chamberlain Liu Ai. He felt that the once declining Chang'an City would regain its former glory and reveal the grandeur of the Western Capital of the Han Dynasty.

But this was only a month or two. One or two months ago, Grand Marshal Liu Zhang had just pacified Guanzhong, killed the two thieves Li Jue and Guo Si, and recaptured the city of Chang'an.

'Although Zhou is an old country, its destiny is renewed.'

Surprised by the great changes in Chang'an City, Liu Ai and Deputy Envoy Shi Huan, received by Chang'an Order Zhang Ji, entered the inn in Chang'an City and prepared to enjoy the wine and food provided by the inn's servants.

As the host, Zhang Ji did not sit down immediately. Instead, he pointed to the seat opposite and said to Liu Ai and Shi Huan, "Shizhong, Captain Shi, please take a seat." He had to wait until Liu Ai and Shi Huan took their seats before he could sit down, otherwise it would be a lack of hospitality.

"Captain Shi, please take a seat." Liu Ai, the chief envoy, stretched out his hand and motioned Shi Huan to sit in the seat in front of him.

Although he was the chief envoy and held a noble position as Shizhong, Liu Ai understood that his title of chief envoy was somewhat unworthy of the title. Shi Huan, who was Cao Cao's confidant, was the real chief envoy on this mission to Guanzhong.

As usual, Liu Ai was polite to Shi Huan all the way and did not treat Shi Huan lightly because of his military identity. Now that Cao Cao was in charge of the government, the civil and military officials who were close to Cao Cao controlled power and had great prestige, and they could not be easily offended.

"Please take a seat, Minister. I am the deputy envoy and should not sit in front of you." Shi Huan said modestly. He stretched out his hand to motion Liu Ai to sit in the front row, while he sat below Liu Ai.

Seeing this, Liu Ai felt a little relieved. After all, if Shi Huan agreed carelessly and sat directly at the head seat, it would be a loss of face for him in front of Zhang Ji, the governor of Chang'an.

Seeing Liu Ai and Shi Huan being humble to each other, Zhang Ji, the governor of Chang'an who was sitting opposite them, naturally sensed the subtle atmosphere between the two angels. The chief envoy did not act like a chief envoy, and the deputy envoy did not act like a deputy envoy. The chief envoy had to act according to the deputy envoy's expression. It was really strange that everything was upside down.

However, Zhang Ji just kept this strange thing in mind and did not tell anyone. He warmly invited Liu Ai and Shi Huan to drink, urging them to drink one glass after another, and at the same time said some polite and warm words, making the atmosphere of the banquet cheerful and lively, and both the host and the guests had a great time.

After the banquet, Zhang Ji instructed his servants to entertain Liu Ai and Shi Huan well. He then left the inn and headed towards the official residence in Chang'an. He would report the situation of the two envoys to Liu Zhang.

Riding on horseback, Zhang Ji soon arrived at the Chang'an official residence not far from the relay station, and went straight into the east pavilion to meet Liu Zhang.

"My lord, the angels Liu Ai and Shi Huan have been settled in. They are currently resting in the inn. In addition, two messengers plan to issue an imperial edict tomorrow. I hope we can be ready tomorrow." Zhang Ji reported.

Liu Zhang nodded, indicating that he understood: "Then please invite the two angels to the government office tomorrow to issue the imperial edict. I will trouble you, Derong, to take care of the corresponding preparations." "Yes." Chang'an Ling Zhang Ji bowed and agreed, accepting Liu Zhang's instructions.

At the same time, Zhang Ji did not forget to tell about the strange things he had seen at the banquet just now: "Mingsir, when we were entertaining the two angels just now, Liu Ai, the chief envoy, was very humble to the deputy envoy Shi Huan, as if Shi Huan was the chief envoy. I guess there must be some unspeakable reason behind it."

"Oh, what do you think?" Liu Zhang asked. From Zhang Ji's tone, he knew that Zhang Ji might already have the answer.

Zhang Ji straightened his posture, and after thinking for a while, he said, "The Minister of the Court Liu Ai is the chief envoy, and the lieutenant of the Central Army Shi Huan is the deputy envoy. Their identities and official positions are clear. Liu Ai should be the senior one, and Shi Huan the junior one."

"But now the power of government falls into the hands of Cao Mengde. I heard that Shi Huan is Cao Mengde's retainer and has followed Cao Mengde for a long time. He is Cao Mengde's confidant. Therefore, Shi Huan's mission is to supervise Liu Ai and investigate the situation in Guanzhong. He is the deputy envoy in public and the main envoy in secret."

When entertaining Liu Ai and Shi Huan just now, Zhang Ji asked about Shi Huan's life and past without leaving any trace. He learned that Shi Huan was a close confidant of the great general Cao Mengde. Although he was not well-known, he must have great power.

As it was, Zhang Ji gave a rough inference by analyzing the identities and status of Liu Ai and Shi Huan to explain the subtle atmosphere between Liu Ai and Shi Huan.

"Derong, you are indeed a man of talent in judging people." With this compliment, Liu Zhang affirmed Zhang Ji's ability to read people's expressions. He was able to see through Liu Ai and Shi Huan's actual identities and statuses after just one glance.

"My lord, thank you for your praise. It was just a random guess. We need to continue to observe whether it is true or not." Facing Liu Zhang's praise, Zhang Ji was humble as usual.

Liu Zhang smiled and waved his hand. He affirmed: "The reason is nothing more than what you just said."

The next day.

The central door of the Chang'an official residence was wide open, and the angels Liu Ai and Shi Huan walked in from the central door and came to the courtyard, where they read the imperial edict of Liu Xie, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, to Liu Zhang and his civil and military officials.

Liu Ai's voice is very magnetic and has a unique penetrating power. Although the tone is not high, everyone in the courtyard can hear it clearly.

But listen to Liu Ai's words.

"You have pacified Guanzhong and beheaded Li and Guo. You have made great contributions to the country and have been kind to the elders. The title of king is not enough to reward your merits... Considering that you were the governor of Yizhou in the past, I will make you the King of Shu to show the world and let the people in all directions know the court's kindness and loyalty..."

As expected, the imperial edict read by the attendant Liu Ai boasted about Liu Zhang's merits and rewarded him with the title of King of Shu.

The imperial edict was not very long. After a while, the attendant Liu Ai finished reading it. Then he carefully collected the edict and handed it to Liu Zhang with both hands.

However, the person on the other side did not take the edict, just as Liu Ai expected, and said something that Liu Ai expected.

"Minister, please report to the emperor that the reward of the title of king is too great, Zhang should not accept it!" (End of this chapter)