Chapter Thirty-Two: Jia Xu's Return of Heart

Watching the fervent look in Liu Xie’s eyes, Jia Xu felt a subtle tremor in his heart.

For some inexplicable reason, he felt that this young man before him might truly be capable of unifying the world. A scholar dies for one who truly knows him; this was the principle and standard by which Jia Xu lived.

Thus, Jia Xu nodded and spoke: "If you can truly meet the requirements I have set, I, Jia Xu, shall willingly lay down my life to serve by your side, Your Majesty!"

No sooner had the words left Jia Xu’s lips than the sound of urgent hoofbeats echoed. A scout leaped from his horse, rushed into the courtyard, and shouted of a great victory.

"Your Majesty! A report of victory from the front lines—"

Liu Xie naturally took the report from the scout’s hand. After a brief glance, a smile of joy appeared on his face. Seeing the bewilderment on Jia Xu’s face, he casually handed the report over.

"I did not expect General Huangfu to be so valiant. A victory in the first engagement; he has routed the White Wave bandits who were closing in on Luoyang so quickly," Liu Xie said with a laugh. "Resting while the enemy exhausts themselves—excellent, excellent indeed!"

The gist of the report was that the White Wave bandits, after a long, forced march, had fallen straight into an ambush prepared in advance by General Huangfu Song, suffering a crushing defeat overnight.

As Jia Xu read the report, his face remained unreadable, but a storm of shock raged within him. The report stated that the ambush had been executed according to Liu Xie’s own tactical plan—which meant that Liu Xie held absolute control over Huangfu Song’s army!

If Jia Xu had previously viewed Liu Xie as merely a puppet emperor, he now had to re-evaluate the young monarch standing before him.

"Pass the order to Huangfu Song: continue to prepare according to the plan I gave him earlier!"

"Understood!"

Before Jia Xu could ask, Gai Xun strode into the courtyard, immediately drawing his attention.

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty!"

"We are among our own, no need for such formalities!" Liu Xie said with a smile. "How goes the investigation into the assassins?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, that group acted with extreme precision. Aside from those who died in the tavern, there is almost no evidence to be found."

"Furthermore, your servant believes this group has a well-established underground organization in Luoyang. Usually, there would be a contact person to hand off missions, but since the assassination attempt, we have found no suspicious individuals."

"I have already deployed all my scouts; any movement will be reported to Your Majesty immediately!"

Hearing this, Liu Xie’s brow furrowed.

"However, I did find some tokens on the bodies of the assassins. It appears to be an organization called the 'Yellow Heaven Sect.' I suspect this group has some connection to the Yellow Turban rebels!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xie looked up at him: "Is there any evidence?"

Gai Xun untied a yellow silk ribbon from his waist and stepped forward to hand it to Liu Xie.

"This is the token I found on the bodies. Apart from the material, it is identical to the yellow turbans worn by the rebel army!"

Liu Xie looked at the yellow ribbon in his hand, his expression darkening. This matter appeared far more complex than he had imagined.

Assassins, spies, noble clans, and the Yellow Turbans.

An invisible web of relationships connected these four forces. If he were to investigate further, it would likely implicate a great number of people.

"Continue your investigation. Report any leads to me immediately!"

"Understood!"

"Additionally, I called you here today because Wenhe wished to see you." As he spoke, Liu Xie glanced at Jia Xu, who was currently staring at Gai Xun.

Jia Xu spoke up immediately, scolding, "You old cur! How did you see through my tactics back then? Don't tell me you were already planning to deal with Chancellor Dong!"

Gai Xun merely glanced at him. "What Chancellor? He is nothing but a traitor to the Han, usurping the empire in the name of the Emperor!"

"As for your clumsy tactics, they were seen through by His Majesty long ago. He had us prepared specifically to capture you alive!"

"Under the vast heavens, is there any land that is not the King's? Among the subjects on the shores, are there any who are not the King's servants? Has all your reading gone to your behind?" Gai Xun grew more animated as he spoke. "If not for His Majesty’s compassion for your talent and his reluctance to waste such ability, I would have had you dragged out and executed long ago. Traitors like you, who aid the wicked, show no respect for the Emperor, and throw the court into chaos—you deserve to have your entire clan wiped out!"

Listening to Gai Xun’s words, Jia Xu was left speechless. Yet, what shocked him even more was that his own original preparations had been seen through by Liu Xie—a mere teenager.

For a moment, Jia Xu found it difficult to accept.

Liu Xie remained silent, watching the stunned Jia Xu. It seemed he had yet to process it all.

After a long while, Jia Xu suddenly bowed deeply to Liu Xie.

"Your Majesty, your subject... acknowledges his crime. I did not realize the depth of your wisdom, and I deserve death. I am willing to assist Your Majesty in pacifying the Central Plains and restoring the great dynasty! I shall serve you with all my might, even unto death!"

Seeing this, Liu Xie gave Gai Xun a look of approval. It must be said that Gai Xun’s assistance had been perfectly timed. With this, Liu Xie had completely won over Jia Xu, a top-tier strategist.

Liu Xie hurriedly stepped forward to help Jia Xu up, continuing to reassure him: "It is nothing. In gaining Wenhe, I have truly found my Jiang Shang!"

After rising, Jia Xu looked directly at Liu Xie: "May I ask what Your Majesty intends to do next?"

Liu Xie pondered for a moment before saying, "Once things in Luoyang are arranged, I intend to take a trip to Yizhou."

"Yizhou?" Jia Xu and Gai Xun both looked at Liu Xie, their eyes filled with concern.

"Does Your Majesty intend to lead a great army to crusade against Liu Yan?" Jia Xu asked.

Liu Xie shook his head: "No, I shall take only a few attendants."

"Your Majesty, I believe this is unwise," Gai Xun stepped forward to dissuade him. "That Yizhou Governor Liu Yan harbors treacherous intentions. This journey is too dangerous; you must prioritize your own safety!"

Jia Xu’s brows furrowed, and he asked, "Your Majesty, do you have other plans?"

"The terrain of Yizhou is rugged and difficult to conquer. If we rashly send a large army to invade, I fear we will lose men and gain nothing."

Liu Xie nodded in approval.

"There are other important matters to resolve in Yizhou. I will tell you when the time comes. But before we go, we must settle the affairs of Luoyang. I will draw up a plan and leave it for you, Wenhe, to execute."

Jia Xu replied solemnly, "Your Majesty may rest assured. I will not fail your trust!"

Liu Xie nodded. With Jia Xu stationed in Luoyang, he felt truly at ease.

He immediately turned to Erniu, who was standing nearby, and instructed, "Erniu, go to the residence of Minister Wang and bring his nephew, Wang Jingyun, to me. There are some things I wish to ask him."

"Understood!"