Can I get to the other side?.

Chapter 123 Fu Wan: Unless the fake emperor of Yecheng looks exactly like Your Majesty

Xu County, outside the post station.

Although he had arrived in Xu County, Kong Rong did not follow the envoy directly into the city to meet the emperor, but came here to stay first.

The envoy was confused and asked, "Why didn't the Prime Minister come with me into the city? Your Majesty is looking forward to seeing you."

Xu County was right in front of him, but Kong Rong refused to enter the city.

This made him feel very embarrassed.

Kong Rong said, "An audience with the emperor is a big deal and should not be taken lightly. One must burn incense, bathe and change clothes before going. The messenger should go into the city to report to His Majesty first. I will go to see His Majesty after His Majesty summons me."

The messenger couldn't help feeling quite a headache after hearing this.

There is indeed such a set of procedures for an audience with the emperor.

Those who wanted to meet the emperor had to wait in the inn first, burn incense, bathe, and tidy up their appearance; only after the emperor sent someone to summon them could they enter the palace for an audience. The process was extremely cumbersome.

But these are all old calendars from many years ago. With the decline of the Han Dynasty and the loss of the emperor's authority, who would care about such cumbersome etiquette now?
However, Kong Rong insisted on doing so, and he had no choice but to sigh and say, "Then please wait in the posthouse first, I will go into the city to report to His Majesty."

After saying this, he got on the carriage and left in a hurry.

Kong Rong and Taishi Ci walked into the posthouse together.

After being led to the room by the postman, Kong Rong asked Taishi Ci to close the doors and windows, and then said to him sternly: "Ziyi, I am going to the palace to meet the emperor today. If I don't return to the posthouse before sunset, you don't have to worry about my safety and flee to Jizhou with the news."

Coming to the posthouse to rest was just an excuse. Kong Rong's real purpose was to keep Taishi Ci here in case of any emergency.

Because if the emperor in the city is a fake, or if there is no emperor at all, he will definitely not be able to escape. In this case, he can only rely on Taishi Ci to pass on the message for him and spread the news that the emperor of Xu County is a fake throughout the world.

"Take these two things."

"If the emperor of Xu County is a fake, you can flee to Yecheng and hand them over to Yuan Shao in person. He will know what to do."

Kong Rong said this and handed the two items in his hand to Taishi Ci.

A private seal and a letter.

The private seal represents his identity, and the letter was written by him to Yuan Shao.

As long as Yuan Shao takes them to the Kong clan, he will get the Kong clan's help to expose Cao Cao's true face.

"Don't worry, Prime Minister. I will not fail in my mission!"

Taishi Ci took the private seal and letter with a solemn expression.

He knew that this might be Kong Rong's final entrustment, and he also understood how important this entrustment was.

After Kong Rong explained these things, he finally felt relieved. He then went to bathe and change clothes, preparing to enter the palace for an audience.

An hour later, a luxurious carriage drove up and slowly stopped outside the post house, and two people followed the carriage.

It was none other than Cao Cao and Xun You.

Cao Cao dismounted and stood outside the inn, clasping his hands and saying, "Cao Cao is here on the orders of your majesty to welcome the Prime Minister into the palace!"

After the words fell, there was no response from the inn.

But Cao Cao did not show any impatience. He still maintained his salute posture and stood quietly outside the door.

After a while, Kong Rong walked out of the inn.

Seeing Cao Cao waiting at the door, Kong Rong nodded slightly and said, "Sorry to have kept Meng De waiting for a long time."

Cao Cao said respectfully: "The Prime Minister is an elder and a world-renowned scholar. It is really hard for him to come all the way from Beihai County to meet the emperor. Compared with the Prime Minister, what does it matter if I wait a little longer?"

"The carriage is ready, please get in, Prime Minister."

Kong Rong nodded and walked towards the carriage.

It was not until he got on the carriage that Cao Cao straightened his bent back. Then he jumped on the horse and went to lead the way.

Inside the post house.

Taishi Ci watched Kong Rong leave with Cao Cao and others, and could not help but touch the seal on his chest, his eyes full of worry.

He now really hoped that the emperor of Xu County was real, so that Kong Rong could return safely.

……

Xu County, the main hall of the imperial palace.

The emperor had been waiting here early with Fu Wan, Yang Biao and other close ministers.

At this moment, he was looking expectantly at the figure who was slowly walking into the hall with Cao Cao, and he was feeling extremely excited.

"It's here! It's finally here!"

During the period before Kong Rong came to Xu County, the emperor lived a very torturous life. He was worried all day long, fearing that Kong Rong would encounter an accident on the road, such as being assassinated by Yuan Shao's men.

Fortunately, Kong Rong had a safe journey and successfully arrived in Xu County.

Now he is only one step away from clearing his name and regaining his status as emperor!
"Your Majesty, I am Kong Rong, the Prime Minister of Beihai State!"

After Kong Rongcao walked into the hall, he faced the emperor and meticulously performed the great ceremony of three bows and nine kowtows to him.

Seeing this scene, the emperor felt a lump in his throat.

Now that the Han Dynasty is in decline, he, the emperor, has long lost his majesty. He can't remember how long it has been since his subjects performed such great courtesy to him. However, Kong Rong still strictly abides by the etiquette of a subject, which shows his loyalty!
"My dear minister, please get up quickly!" The emperor's voice was a little choked up, "You have come all the way from Beihai County, it is really hard work."

Kong Rong said: "I am a Han minister. If the emperor summons me, how can I not come?"

"My dear minister, you are truly a loyal minister!" The emperor was greatly impressed by Kong Rong's behavior. He wanted to continue exchanging a few words with Kong Rong, but Cao Cao spoke.

"Your Majesty, let's talk business first." Cao Cao bowed his head slightly, cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Kong must be very tired after the long journey. Your Majesty may as well finish the business with Mr. Kong as soon as possible so that he can go back and rest."

Upon hearing this, Kong Rong couldn't help but look at Cao Cao and frowned slightly.

The emperor was slightly embarrassed and gave up the idea of ​​chatting with Kong Rong. He nodded and said, "What the Grand Marshal said is very true. I was so happy that I forgot to talk to you about business."

"My dear, recently there has been a rumor about the real and fake emperors, have you heard of it?"

Kong Rong nodded and said, "I have indeed heard that people all say that there is an emperor in Yecheng and Xuxian respectively, but they don't know which is true and which is false, so they argue endlessly."

In fact, it has been determined which of the two emperors is real and which is fake.

Before Kong Rong came to Xu County, people all over the world generally believed that the emperor in Yecheng was the real emperor, while the one in Xu County was fake.

Because the emperor of Yecheng was recognized by Yuan Shao, Lu Bu and Liu Bei, and he also had the imperial seal, which was enough to prove the legitimacy of the emperor of Yecheng.

However, it was certainly not convenient for Kong Rong to say such things directly, and he could not determine his own position before he confirmed the authenticity of the emperor.

Hearing this, the emperor suddenly became excited and said angrily: "The one in Yecheng is fake!" "Since Chang'an was captured, I have been fleeing all the way. Fortunately, the Grand Marshal rescued me and moved the capital to Xu County."

"The emperor in Yecheng is just a fake emperor that Yuan thief hired to impersonate me in order to use my name! I have never left Xu County, so how could I appear in Yecheng?"

The emperor was feeling angry and aggrieved, and Kong Rong's arrival finally gave him someone to talk to and vent his feelings to.

"Now the Han Dynasty is in decline and chaos is spreading everywhere."

"First there were the Yellow Turban Rebellions and the Dong Zhuo Rebellion; then there were the Guo Si and Li Jue rebellions, and some time ago even Yuan Shu, who was a third-generation official, declared himself emperor. The Han Dynasty is already in turmoil."

"The two Yuan brothers, one usurped the throne and the other pretended to be the emperor, relying on their own reputation to deceive the people of the world; and I don't know what means they used to make Wen Hou Lu Bu believe them, leaving me speechless."

"I am the Son of Heaven, but I cannot restore the country. Now even the title of Son of Heaven is about to be taken away by a villain."

"I really don't have the face to meet the previous emperors of the Han Dynasty!"

As the emperor spoke, he burst into tears.

This was what Cao Cao taught him. Whenever he met Kong Rong and he talked about something touching, he had to cry.

He didn't want to cry at first because he was afraid of losing the dignity of an emperor.

But he did not dare to disobey Cao Cao.

Infected by the emperor's emotion, many ministers present covered their faces and cried, and Fu Wan and Yang Biao also looked sad.

How can one not be sad to see the Han Dynasty fall to such a state?

Kong Rong silently observed the expressions of the emperor and the crowd, and listened quietly to what the emperor was saying to him, without saying a word.

"fortunately……"

After crying for a while, the emperor wiped his tears and continued: "Although there are rebels everywhere in the world, there are still loyal ministers and righteous men like the Grand Marshal and my dear minister!"

"Your reputation is high and you are respected by the people of the world. I summoned you here because I want you to verify my identity and reveal Yuan Shao's true face to the world, so that the world will know that the emperor in Yecheng is a fake emperor!"

After the emperor finished speaking, he looked at Kong Rong with hope.

Kong Rong is his only hope now!
Faced with the emperor's expectations, Kong Rong shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for not being able to make a direct conclusion now."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.

With the emperor in front and a group of important court officials here, how can we not make a conclusion?
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes slightly and had a bad feeling in his heart.

"Why?!" The emperor looked at Kong Rong in disbelief. "Do you think I am a fake? But whether it is the Grand Marshal, Lord Yang, or Lord Fu, they can all testify for me! And so many ministers can do the same!"

"My concubines are also in the palace. I can call them all here and have them testify for me one by one!"

The emperor was really anxious now. He thought that Kong Rong would immediately agree to testify for him after seeing him.

I didn't expect that he would be unwilling!
Traitor, traitor!
Kong Rong said, "Your Majesty has misunderstood me. The last time I saw Your Majesty was eight years ago. After that, I offended the traitor Dong Zhuo and was sent to Beihai County to quell the rebellion. I have not seen Your Majesty again."

"Although your Majesty's appearance now bears some resemblance to that of eight years ago, it has been so long that I dare not confirm it casually."

"Later, I will ask Lord Yang, the father-in-law, and other ministers about matters related to Your Majesty, but whether Your Majesty is the true Son of Heaven, I need to go to Yecheng before I can make a judgment."

"Because this concerns the legitimacy of the Han Dynasty, I am shouldering such a heavy responsibility, and I dare not jump to conclusions. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me."

After hearing Kong Rong's explanation, everyone and the emperor breathed a sigh of relief.

Everyone can understand Kong Rong's caution. After all, this concerns the legitimacy of the Han Dynasty, so he has to be cautious.

Although the emperor was very disappointed, he still forced a smile and said, "I understand your embarrassment and caution."

"Then wait until you have been to Yecheng before making a decision. Since I am the real emperor, why should I be afraid of being compared with the fake emperor?"

"But please ask Lord Kong to communicate more with Lord Yang and others. If you have any questions, you can ask my concubines."

Although he was indeed the emperor, he still gave Kong Rong some serious instructions just to be on the safe side.

Because he didn't know what methods Yuan Shao had.

After all, even Lü Bu, Liu Bei, and Yuan Shao were deceived. What if even Kong Rong was deceived by Yuan Shao? No one can say for sure.

Kong Rong said: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will be extremely cautious."

Seeing that there was no response, the emperor said with concern: "My dear minister, you have had a bumpy journey and must be very tired. Go back and have a good rest today. You must take good care of your health!"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I will take my leave now."

Kong Rong said goodbye to the emperor and walked out of the palace.

Not long after he walked out of the hall, Cao Cao quickly caught up with him.

"Prime Minister, I have prepared a banquet to welcome you at home, and I have also specially cleaned out a secluded courtyard for you to rest."

"If you don't mind, let me entertain you."

Cao Cao respectfully invited Kong Rong.

Kong Rong shook his head and said, "Meng De's kindness is kind, but I cannot accept it. In order to avoid criticism from others, I will just stay at the post house."

Cao Cao looked regretful when he heard this: "It is as it should be. I will send the Prime Minister back to the posthouse right away."

"Thank you very much." This time Kong Rong did not refuse and agreed.

……

At this time, in the hall, the emperor looked at Yang Biao and Fu Wan with sorrow: "Mr. Yang, father-in-law, do you think Kong Rong really doesn't dare to make a rash decision, or does he think that my identity is fake?"

"Whether I am the emperor or not, you and the concubines in the harem can all testify. Why did Kong Rong still go to Yecheng?"

He understood Kong Rong's caution, but he still couldn't help feeling some resentment in his heart.

"Your Majesty, when it comes to the orthodoxy of the Han Dynasty, there is nothing wrong with Kong Beihai being cautious," said Yang Biao.

He actually approved of Kong Rong's cautious attitude, which also showed that Kong Rong would not be threatened or bribed by Yuan Shao.

Fu Wan also said: "Your Majesty, don't worry. Unless the fake emperor looks exactly like your Majesty, Kong Beihai will be able to tell the real from the fake at a glance. After Kong Beihai has seen the fake emperor, he will naturally know that your Majesty is the true dragon emperor."

After hearing the two people's comfort, the emperor felt much more at ease.

Yes, there is nothing to worry about. Yuan Shao can’t find someone who looks just like him.

How can there be such a coincidence in the world?
After Kong Rong compared the two emperors, he naturally came to a conclusion.

What he has to do now is to wait patiently for the result.

(End of this chapter)