Chapter Sixty-Six: Audience with the Emperor (Part Two)

Passing beneath the blue-tiled eaves and wandering through the Han palace, its grandeur and majesty were beyond description. Yet, to Zhang Yu, the towering halls always evoked a sense of the fading glow at sunset—a lingering light soon to depart. To meet the supposed supreme leader of the land as a mere commoner stirred no small excitement in his heart. Along the way, he tried hard to memorize the myriad rules the attending eunuch rattled off—rules that seemed endless: one must walk with gravity, hold the hands in respect, keep the gaze proper, restrain the mouth; even the angle at which one looked at the emperor was prescribed—the eyes must not rise above the collar nor fall below the belt, and one must never stare directly at his eyes.

This was the Han dynasty, after all. Since Unclesun Tong, the master of Han rites, established the court ceremonies, the empire had earned its name as the land of ritual propriety.

“Freedom is best—like a wild crane drifting between clouds. How might I extract some benefit from this young emperor?” Zhang Yu pondered schemes as he silently tried to recall the eunuch’s instructions. Yet, upon entering the hall, he unwittingly raised his eyes toward the emperor, only to see a child so young that his delicate features still carried traces of innocence—a handsome boy with rosy lips and white teeth.

It was obvious at a glance: he had ascended the throne at nine, and was now only eleven. He looked lively and clever, giving off an impression of intelligence—no wonder Dong Zhuo chose him to be emperor.

In those bright eyes, however, there was a maturity far beyond his age and appearance. In that instant, Zhang Yu inexplicably thought of that child from Japan who never grew up—Edogawa Conan.

A gentle smile lingered on Liu Xie’s face, as if cultivated from childhood, warm and gracious, yet infused with a hereditary nobility that could not be learned without long years of refinement. Whether the emperor’s dignity had already been trampled by Dong Zhuo and his ilk, or whether he simply did not care, he did not rebuke Zhang Yu for his impertinent gaze.

“Zhang Yu of Zhongshan, a commoner, greets Your Majesty.”

“I have heard your name,” Liu Xie replied with a smile. “Sit.”

Obediently, Zhang Yu knelt on the cushion below the dais, murmuring, “Thank you, Your Majesty,” while inwardly grumbling that his own chair was far more comfortable.

“I hear the people of Hebei affectionately call you Jade Lad; I shall do likewise.”

Zhang Yu was impressed. With just this one address, the young emperor could command the loyalty of most men—yet Zhang Yu felt no particular fidelity to the Han, and this emperor was not Han Wu, but Han Xian.

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s favor.”

Seeing Zhang Yu’s indifferent reply, Liu Xie’s face flickered with displeasure, but he quickly masked it and smiled again:

“I hear Jade Lad not only brews famed wines but is also skilled at composing verse?”

“It is but a humble pastime, unworthy of the court’s attention. Please forgive my shortcomings, Your Majesty.” Zhang Yu replied politely, but such conversation would not let him seize control of the situation; he needed to dig a pit.

“I do not believe you are so immune to flattery!” The young emperor was clearly interested in Zhang Yu, but seeing his lackluster reaction, he abandoned further niceties.

“Jade Lad, you are from Hebei?”

“Yes, indeed.”

“How fares Hebei?”

“It is doing well.”

“How do the people live?”

“Barely getting by.”

“How are your parents?”

“They are very affectionate.”

“...Are you so perfunctory with me?” The emperor’s irritation was evident, and Zhang Yu could only sigh, “Your Majesty, forgive me. I would like nothing more than to converse with you, but before I came, I was told to answer with utmost respect, to speak only when asked. If I say too much, would I not be breaking the rules?”

“Hmph!” Liu Xie snorted, his expression softening. “You are clever with words. Do you realize that my summoning you today is itself against protocol?”

“Your Majesty, forgive my ignorance. I was born in Zhongshan, raised in comfort as an only child, and never constrained by strictures. If you wish to hear about the amusements of Zhongshan, the customs of Hebei, I can speak endlessly. But as for rules, I confess my own dullness.” Zhang Yu added a self-deprecating smile and tapped his head.

“Oh?” At his age, Liu Xie was naturally curious. He had spent his life cloistered in the palace, bound by endless etiquette. Hearing of amusements, and recalling his initial expectations for this visitor, he decided to relax and truly converse.

“Then today, I grant you leave to set aside protocol. Tell me all the interesting things you know.”

Since ancient times, deep affection has never held sway—only clever schemes win hearts.

With this retreat-then-advance maneuver, Zhang Yu had earned the freedom to spin his tales, and so his performance began.

He employed a subtle method, drawing the emperor in gradually. He started with amusing stories of building snowmen and flying kites with his maidservants, then spoke of the customs in Lunu City, Wuji County, Changshan, and other places. He especially described the fascinating things found on the streets, whether real or invented, painting vivid pictures that stirred the imagination.

Windmills, sugar figurines, clay dolls—each tale was full of whimsy. When he finished with the ordinary, he escalated—there were even Gundams, Transformers, and Pokémon...

Liu Xie was utterly captivated, his eyes growing pure and innocent, filled with longing for the marvelous things he had never heard of, forgetting for the moment that he was the Son of Heaven and Zhang Yu merely a commoner.

“As for food, I once barbecued with Yuan Shao, lord of Jizhou. If Your Majesty wishes, I could prepare a feast for you someday—”

“You mean Yuan Benchu, the alliance leader who opposed Dong Zhuo, scion of the illustrious Yuan clan?” Liu Xie’s eyes lit up at the name, for Yuan Shao was familiar to him as the man who dared challenge Dong Zhuo—a hero he hoped could save the Han.

“Precisely. Benchu is utterly unpretentious, very close to me. That day, we drank and feasted together, and I was deeply impressed by his bearing...” Zhang Yu continued, noticing Liu Xie leaning forward, listening ever more intently, clearly valuing him more.

“How much this child longs for a protector,” Zhang Yu sighed, then went on:

“In truth, those foods and amusements are nothing compared to the most remarkable thing: jade plaques!”

“Jade plaques? What are those?”

“A toy I invented, quite popular. My uncle and his two sworn brothers are particularly fond of it,” Zhang Yu said, modest but proud.

“Composing poetry, brewing wine, barbecuing, inventing jade plaques... Is there anything you cannot do?” Liu Xie laughed. Having listened to so much, the two were now more at ease with each other.

“At most, I come up with small ideas and little amusements—hardly real talents. My three uncles are the truly remarkable ones.”

“Oh? How so?”

“Has Your Majesty heard of the Battle of Hu Lao Gate?”

“Of course! That battle was thrilling—I was excited just hearing about it. Even the so-called invincible Lü Bu was driven off by the allied army. A pity—”

Zhang Yu knew he lamented the coalition’s failure to pursue and rescue him and his elder brother, Liu Bian, but that was beside the point. He quickly continued, “Does Your Majesty know who defeated Lü Bu?”

“I recall hearing it was three mighty warriors, each with the strength to face ten thousand men, even Lü Bu could not withstand them.”

“Those three warriors were my uncle Liu Bei and his two sworn brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.”

“At last, we arrive here,” Zhang Yu thought, having achieved his purpose, and continued before Liu Xie could speak: “My uncle Liu Bei wields the twin swords, his swordsmanship is unmatched. His brothers are fierce generals—one bears the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, nearly a hundred pounds, the other wields the Snake Spear. Both are loyal companions, ever at his side. Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the three have fought east and west for the Han, quelling countless foes, striving to restore the dynasty. Now, my uncle serves as Magistrate of Pingyuan, keeping the peace in Pingyuan.”

An uncle who can match Lü Bu, striving to restore the Han!

At this moment, in Liu Xie’s eyes, Zhang Yu was no longer merely a wine-brewing commoner; he radiated dazzling gold, fulfilling all the emperor’s hopes.

“To think you have such valorous uncles! If only I had such uncles myself.”

“Haha, as it happens, my uncle often mentions he is descended from Liu Sheng, Prince Jing of Zhongshan—”

“What did you say!?”

“I misspoke... My uncle merely said it in passing, nothing to take seriously. Please do not be offended, Your Majesty... In fact, a supervisor once accused him of impersonating imperial kin...” Zhang Yu hastily explained.

“And what became of that supervisor?”

“He was beaten by my uncle.”

“Uh...” Liu Xie’s small eyes darted, his face composed as he called out, “Attend me!”

A young eunuch answered, “Summon the Minister of the Imperial Clan, and bring the genealogy of our royal family.”