Chapter 205 It’s broken. I stole the title of my third brother.
Cousin?

The unexpected development happening before his eyes made Liu Bei feel unreal. It was just as the novel said, he, a member of a branch of the Han Dynasty that had fallen on hard times, now ascended the throne and became the emperor's cousin. It was really disorienting.

As for his ancestors, he only remembered that he was a descendant of Liu Zhen, Marquis Lu Cheng, the son of King Jing of Zhongshan, and that his grandfather was named Liu Xiong. He knew nothing about the ancestors from Marquis Lu Cheng to his grandfather Liu Xiong. As for the Marquis Guangling and Marquis Fengling in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, they should have been compiled by the author of the book. The reason was simple and clear: he had only heard of King Guangling but never of Marquis Guangling.

However, Zong Zheng talked incessantly, from Liu Zhen to Liu Xiong, not only mentioning their names, but even describing what positions they held in the prefectures and counties.

As Zong Zheng said, he was indeed the twelfth-generation grandson of Emperor Jing and the true uncle of the future Emperor Xian.

"cough cough"

A shrill voice squeezed into Liu Bei's ears. He immediately interrupted his thoughts and looked in the direction of the sound. He saw a white beardless eunuch with a wealthy face clearing his throat.

"My brother, your majesty has shown me your grace. Why don't you thank me?"

Liu Bei bowed and said, "Long live His Majesty."

'Brother'

Liu Hong nodded and accepted the title bestowed by Liu Bei. When the ministers in front of the Yuntai Palace heard this, they were shocked. For so many years, His Majesty, who had been deceived by eunuchs and only cared about money, actually thought highly of Liu Xuande. Could it be that the day for scholars like us to rise up is coming? !

"Zhang Rang, step back." Liu Hong said unhappily.

Zhang Rang nodded repeatedly, kept his mouth tightly shut, bowed and retreated.

Liu Hong looked at Situ Yangbiao again.

Yang Biao unfolded the edict and said in a loud voice: "The emperor's edict says: I have heard that if the upright are promoted and the crooked are punished, the people will obey. Now the Qiang and Hu people are attacking and abusing the people on the border, committing atrocities at will, the order is broken, and the various tribes are attacking. The Protector of the Qiang, Commander Bei, led the army to fight against the barbarians, established special merits, revitalized the northern frontier, and made great contributions to Liangzhou. He suppressed the rebellion of the Qiang people in the east and west, and the court and the people looked up to him. I grant Bei the title of Marquis of Xixiang, a reward of 10,000 gold, thousands of silks, and a fief of 500 households."

"Yu, the deputy commander of the Qiang Guard, has killed the leader of the bandits and has made outstanding contributions. He is granted the title of Marquis of Han Shou Ting, a reward of 10,000 coins, and a fief of 200 households."

"Fei, the deputy commander of the Qiang Guard, is loyal, upright and strict, and has made great contributions in suppressing the rebellion. He is granted the title of Marquis of Feidu Ting, a reward of ten thousand coins, and a fief of one hundred households."

Xixiang Hou

Different from the joy of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, Liu Bei was slightly startled when he heard his title. Isn't Xixianghou the title of his third brother? But his second brother is still Hanshoutinghou.

Yang Biao walked up to the three of them and said solemnly, "My brother, please accept my order."

"Your Majesty, Liu Xuande, accepts the order. Long live the Emperor!"

"Your Majesty, Guan Yu, accepts the order. Long live the Emperor!"

"Your Majesty, Zhang Yide, accepts your order. Long live the Emperor!"

The three men bowed to thank the emperor for his grace. Liu Hong, who was sitting on the throne, straightened his somewhat lazy body. As the supreme ruler of the empire, he exercised his power. With a wave of his sleeve, he ordered the three men who had been recently conferred the title of marquis to join the ranks of military officers and started the court meeting.

"Big brother, second brother, I never thought that the three of us brothers would all be granted the title of marquis."

Zhang Fei finally breathed a sigh of relief when he walked out of Nangong. Walking in small steps was really difficult for a northern man like him. Coupled with the joy of being conferred the title of Marquis of Ting, he felt really uncomfortable.

Therefore, as soon as he left the oppressive palace, Zhang Fei's voice was as crackling as Zhen De typing on the keyboard in the fairyland or the afterlife.

Guan Yu stroked his long beard and smiled so hard that his eyebrows bent down. He even wanted to tease Zhang Fei, "Third brother, I thought you would complain that your fiefdom is too small."

"Second brother, you killed Li Wenhou, which is a greater achievement than mine. Why should I be dissatisfied? Do you want me to say it?"

The emperor is really stingy.

Zhang Fei muttered to himself.

Seeing this, Liu Bei laughed and patted Zhang Fei on the shoulder.

Guan Yu, who was smiling just a second ago, became stiff in smile. Liu Bei noticed something and followed Guan Yu's gaze, only to see a familiar figure waiting for a long time.

"General Liu, no, he is now the Marquis of Xixiang. I would like to congratulate him here."

The person who came was Cao Cao.

As the saying goes, don't hit a smiling person, Liu Bei returned the greeting with a fist. Cao Cao smiled and handed over a visiting card from his arms, which was made of fine white Xuande paper.

"Marquis Xixiang, I have been struggling to deliver this invitation for several days. I wonder if you can come to our wine shop today to chat."

Zhang Fei's eyes widened, and he stepped forward. He wanted to say, "My elder brother has been working hard for several days, can't you let him take a rest?"

However, Liu Bei stretched out his arm to stop Zhang Fei, and Zhang Fei had to give up.

"Prime Minister Cao, please."

Liu Bei accepted the visiting card.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei wanted to follow, but Liu Bei knew they were reluctant, so he patted them on the shoulders and whispered, "Second brother, third brother, you two have been working hard for several days, go back and rest for a while."

Zhang Fei asked worriedly, "Brother, how is your safety?"

"It'll be fine, go ahead." Liu Bei said.

Guan Yu looked at Cao Cao standing aside, then turned to Zhang Fei and said, "Third brother, even though Cao Mengde is cruel, he is not that kind of villain. Moreover, Cao Mengde's martial arts are not as good as yours, so don't worry."

Zhang Fei nodded.

Cao Cao watched Guan Yu and Zhang Fei go away and said with emotion: "General Guan is truly a god."

"."

Liu Bei fell silent. He had heard these words so many times that his ears were almost callused.

"Prime Minister Cao, please come in," said Liu Bei.

Cao Cao finally reacted, "Marquis Xixiang, please."

"Marquis Xixiang, this place is the property of the Cao family. No one can hear what we are talking about. You can speak freely!"

Cao Cao, who had enough wealth to easily buy a position as a general, regarded money as dirt. His every move was full of heroism. In his eyes, the most expensive tavern in Luoyang was as common as a roadside stone.

When Liu Bei became a marquis, he looked at the furnishings, beams, pillars and floors in the house. Although he could not tell what materials they were made of, he still felt that they were luxurious.

It was the place he dreamed of visiting when he was young.

"Prime Minister Cao, that's thoughtful of you." Liu Bei clasped his fists.

Cao Cao personally stood up and made wine for Liu Bei. "Marquis Xixiang, please don't call me Prime Minister Cao. I am just a commoner now. Just call me Mengde."

"In that case, Meng De, please do not call me Xixiang Hou. Call me Xuande instead."

"Haha, I just dare to call you Brother Xuande!" Cao Cao laughed out loud.

Liu Bei nodded and asked, "What did you mean, Brother Meng De? If I remember correctly, you have made great achievements in governing Jinan, so you deserve a promotion."

"Ugh"

Cao Cao couldn't help but sigh, he lowered his eyebrows and took a big gulp of wine.

"I have been promoted. The court wants me to be the governor of Dongjun and also wants to appoint me as a councillor."

Liu Bei was puzzled, "Isn't this a good thing?"

Cao Cao shook his head, "Brother Xuande, you don't know. Jinan is full of lewd worship, and officials and big families are colluding with each other. Successive Jinan governors turned a blind eye to it. As soon as I took office, I started to vigorously rectify it. I dismissed eight out of ten officials, and corrupt officials fled. Finally, the people were able to live in peace. However, the big families here have a lot of complaints about me. They wanted to kill me on my way back to Luoyang. Fortunately, Brother Xuande and General Guan rescued me. So, this group of people mobilized the power of the court and wanted me to leave Jinan. I argued with them. Even if I leave, I will order the officials to take office!"

At this point, Cao Cao angrily pounded the table with his fists, gritting his teeth, "But the court chose to appoint a mediocre and stupid person! In this way, all my efforts will be wasted!"

Cao Cao raised his head, his eyes red.
"Brother Xuande, what do you think I should do?"

　First update

　　
　
(End of this chapter)