The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 328: An Imperial Edict Made Liu Bei and Others Sick
In Xiangyang City, Liu Bei sat high up while Zhuge Liang, Cai Mao, Kuai Liang and others took their seats one after another. Everyone had a smile on their face. Now that the overall situation had been decided, it was time to enjoy themselves.

"My lord, the angel has arrived in Xinye and is heading towards Xiangyang."

At this time, the scout came running and reported loudly.

"The document in which we nominate our lord to be the governor of Jingzhou has not yet been sent to Chang'an!" Yi Ji said curiously.

Zhuge Liang and others listened in silence. The recommendation document was not sent to Chang'an, so why did the angel come to Jingzhou?
The visitor is not good.

Zhuge Liang, Cai Mao and others looked at each other.

"What kind of angel is this? It's nothing but the will of the traitor Qin Shou. Big brother, it's better to kill the angel." A thunderous voice rang out in the hall, shaking the eardrums.

Liu Bei smiled bitterly after hearing this.

Anyone could ignore the imperial edict, except Liu Bei. He fought in the name of being a descendant of the Han Dynasty and claimed to be the emperor's uncle. If even the emperor's uncle did not obey the emperor, then how could this emperor still have any prestige?
If the emperor has no prestige, what is the emperor's uncle?

"Third brother, don't talk nonsense."

"Kong Ming, prepare to welcome the arrival of the angel."

Liu Bei first scolded Zhang Fei, and then asked Zhuge Liang to prepare for the arrival of the angel.

"Yes."

Kong Ming also knew Liu Bei's helplessness, and was even more worried about the arrival of the angel. He guessed that Qin Shou, who was far away in Guanzhong, had already known about the situation in Jingzhou.

Otherwise, the funeral of Liu Biao had not yet been completely concluded, and an angel came to announce the decree. How could there be such a coincidence in the world? The only explanation was that Qin Shou already knew about Liu Biao.

Is he a spy from the Cavalry Corps, or is he Liu Biao's backup plan?

No matter which point it is, it is not a good thing for Jingzhou.

At Cai Mao's mansion, the two Kuai brothers came together.

"Yidu, I feel that the imperial edict issued by the court this time is not simple!" Cai Mao asked.

"The court must know about Jingzhou's affairs. Qin Shou is not someone who is easy to talk to."

Kuai Yue nodded.

If it weren't for Liu Qi, this matter would have ended quickly and the court would not have had time to react. Everything would have been easy. Now Liu Bei hadn't even ascended the throne of Governor of Jingzhou when the court's decree came.

But Liu Bei is different from other forces. He is dependent on the emperor and is even a member of the emperor's party. If he does not obey the imperial edict, Liu Bei will not be able to grasp the righteousness.

Therefore, he had to accept this imperial edict, no matter what it contained.

"It's just an imperial edict. What will happen if we accept it? Can it change everything in Jingzhou?" Kuai Liang believed that even if the imperial edict came, it would not change the situation. Jingzhou was already in his hands. Could he give it up?
"Qin Shou is a smart man. It is impossible for him to seize Jingzhou with just an imperial edict. He will not be so naive." Cai Mao shook his head.

These local warlords are all smart people. If something is beneficial to them, they will regard it as a favor from the emperor and accept it without hesitation. If something is not beneficial to them, they will reject it without hesitation.

These people knew in their hearts that the things in the imperial edict were definitely not what they wanted.

"I am worried about the envoy. Will he accept the contents of the imperial edict or not?"

Kuai Yue smiled bitterly.

There are no such good things in the world. You have taken advantage of everything. Since you are the emperor's uncle and have taken advantage of your royal status, you must bear the responsibilities of the royal family.

As long as it is an imperial decree issued in the name of the emperor, you must accept it.

On the third day, five angels entered Xiangyang City with great fanfare. Liu Bei and others welcomed the angels into the General Zhennan's Mansion.

"Where are Madam Cai and Liu Cong?"

The angel took out a decree from a box at the side and glanced at everyone. "Angel, wait a moment."

Cai Mao and others did not expect that the first imperial edict was actually addressed to Madam Cai and Liu Cong, so they immediately asked someone to call the mother and son in. Fortunately, the two had not left the general's mansion yet, otherwise it would be even more troublesome to find them.

"The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims: Liu Biao, the former Governor of Jingzhou, General Zhennan, and Marquis of Chengwu, served as Governor of the region on behalf of Heaven, and made meritorious contributions in protecting the territory and the people... Although he has passed away due to illness, I sympathize with his merits and posthumously confer the title of Grand Tutor. His coffin will be sent back to Shanyang for burial by his son Liu Cong. His eldest son Liu Qi will inherit his title and remotely serve as Governor of Jingzhou. His second son will be Marquis of Guannei and hold the position of Counselor, and will temporarily study at the Imperial Academy. I decree this."

The eunuch's voice was up and down, and it could be heard from far away. Everyone in the hall felt uncomfortable as if they had eaten a fly. Only Mrs. Cai and her son showed joy on their faces.

"I accept the order and thank you for your kindness."

Mrs. Cai shouted impatiently.

Liu Bei was stunned for a moment, but still bowed down.

"Long live your majesty."

"Liu Bei, Cai Mao and others received the order."

Just as everyone was about to stand up, the angel's voice came again from above their heads, and everyone could only kneel on the ground obediently.

"In compliance with the Will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims that Cai Mao of Jingzhou has made contributions in protecting the territory and the people, and in suppressing mountain bandits and river robbers. He is dismissed from his post as the prefect of Nanjun and promoted to General Zhennan. Kuai Liang, the chief clerk of Jingzhou, has made contributions in pacifying the people and is appointed as the governor of Jingzhou. Kuai Yue, the prefect of Zhangling, has made contributions in governing the people and is promoted to the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites, and is allowed to attend government affairs."

"Han Shou Ting Hou Guan Yu, who had many merits, was promoted to the governor of Nanjun; Zhuojun Zhang Fei, who was brave and good at fighting, had many merits and was promoted to the governor of Jiangxia, leading the troops of Jiangxia to attack Jiangdong."

"Langya Zhuge Liang, a virtuous and upright man, was appointed as a minister of the Ministry of Revenue and returned to the capital to report on the case."

"My uncle Liu Bei was diligent in the king's affairs, loyal and brave. He was made Marquis of Yifeng, General Zhendong, and governor of Yuzhang County, and he wiped out the Shanyue."

"Jingzhou Sima Wei and Huang Chengyan are quite talented in literature. They are appointed as doctors of the Imperial Academy and are to be employed by the court."

"I have heard that the Ma family of Jingzhou has the Five Constant Virtues, so I have specially summoned the Five Constant Virtues of the Ma family to the court for appointment. There is also Pang Tong, the descendant of the Pang family of Jingzhou, who has been summoned to serve as a military officer in the Prime Minister's Office. All the people mentioned above are to come to the capital immediately for appointment. I decree this!"

After hearing the eunuch's words, everyone in the hall looked gloomy and didn't know what to do for a moment.

It seems that everyone has been promoted, but why do things seem so strange?

For a moment, he even forgot to accept the order and express his gratitude.

After several imperial edicts were issued, the entire Jingzhou underwent major surgery. The governor of Jingzhou, the governor of Jingzhou, the general of Zhennan, the prefect of Jiangxia, the prefect of Nanjun, the prefect of Zhangling, etc. were all replaced.

The Kuai, Huang, Ma, and Pang families were all affected, and even Mr. Shuijing, a man from the mountains, was recruited.

In Jingzhou, except for a few people, all those who were slightly famous were captured by the imperial court.

"Why, are you no longer subjects of the Han Dynasty? The imperial edict has been issued, do you dare to disobey it? Uncle Emperor, General Zhennan, Governor of Jingzhou, why don't you accept the edict and thank me!"

The eunuch glanced over with a gloomy expression.

Liu Bei only reacted at this time, and he made a decision quickly in the midst of lightning and thunder.

"Your servant Liu Bei accepts your order and thanks you."

No matter what the outcome is, just accept the imperial edict first.

He is a descendant of the Han Dynasty and holds high the banner of reviving the Han Dynasty. How could he betray the Han Dynasty and stop being its subject?

"I accept your order and thank you for your grace."

Everyone accepted the order and expressed their gratitude.

(End of this chapter)