Volume 1, Chapter 16: Purging the Petty and Seizing Control of Chang'an-Reencarnei como o Imperador Xian: Vou prolongar a dinastia Han por mais trezentos anos(Suco de laranja conversado)

The morning mist over Chang'an was thick with the scent of blood, yet it could not suppress the surging crowds on Vermilion Bird Avenue. Old Wang, who sold steamed buns, lifted his bamboo steamer, his toothless grin emerging amidst the rising white steam: "His Majesty has successfully purged the traitors! The first batch of buns today is on the house!"

Cheers erupted from every corner of the streets, full of life and vigor. It had been a long time since Chang'an had witnessed such prosperity and excitement. The common people poured into the streets, eager to share in a joy they had long yearned for.

Liu Xie stood on the high platform of Weiyang Palace, the morning breeze catching the hem of his black dragon robe. He squinted, watching the cooking smoke rising in the distance, while a crisp system notification chimed in his ears:

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully eliminating the forces of Li Jue and Guo Si. You have gained 220 points of National Destiny; your current total is 315."

Indeed, when Li Jue and Guo Si were executed yesterday, he had completed the plot mission—"Internal Strife in Xiliang"—earning 50 points of National Destiny and a T20 Historical Beauty Summoning Card. Combined with his initial 45, he now had a record-breaking 315 points.

Back when Li Jue and Guo Si led their troops out of the city, Jia Xu had immediately contacted Yue Fei and Yang Zaixing, who had already been embedded in Li Xian's army. Due to their exceptional abilities and the connection with Jia Xu, they were quickly promoted to commanders of a thousand men. Before Li Xian could even react, Yang Zaixing had pierced his throat with a single spear thrust.

The 5,000 leaderless soldiers watched in horror as their commander was slain, and finding themselves surrounded by their own countrymen and a thousand Imperial Guards, they surrendered in droves.

In this way, the remaining forces within Chang'an were seized without a drop of blood shed. By swiftly securing the city gates and sealing off the news, the stage was set for yesterday’s scene at the city walls. Subsequently, Liu Xie had dispatched Yue Fei, Zhang Ji, Fan Chou, and others to fan out from Chang'an and reclaim lost territories.

"Your Majesty, General Yang Feng is waiting in the Xuanshi Hall for your decree," Jia Xu’s voice came from behind. The "Poisonous Scholar" was now dressed in crisp new court robes, his eyes flickering with an inscrutable light.

As Liu Xie turned, the bamboo slips in his sleeve rustled. It was the list of rewards Jia Xu had drafted overnight—every name on it had been carefully weighed by his own hand.

"Wenhe, what do you think Yang Feng will ask for?" The young Emperor’s fingers traced the edge of the bamboo slip, where a subtle indentation invited further touch.

Jia Xu bowed slightly. "In this subject's opinion, what General Yang wants most right now is to stay alive."

A faint, imperceptible smile played on Liu Xie's lips.

In history, Yang Feng possessed some military talent but lacked political foresight. He first surrendered to Li Jue, later turned traitor alongside Dong Cheng and others due to conflicting interests, and escorted the former Emperor eastward. Later, he collaborated with Han Xian and Li Le of the White Wave Army, only to fall into infighting over power. After Cao Cao welcomed the Emperor, Yang Feng was squeezed out of the center of power. Having lost the court’s backing, he defected to Yuan Shu and then Lu Bu. Lu Bu once used him to attack Liu Bei, but he was eventually lured out and killed by Liu Bei for his treacherous, fickle nature.

Thus, Liu Xie left the choice to him: to recognize the reality of the situation, or to continue demanding the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry.

"Let’s go. Let us meet Yang Feng." As Liu Xie strode forward, the newly forged Chixiao Sword at his waist clinked against his jade pendant with a clear, resonant sound.

Inside the Xuanshi Hall, Yang Feng’s armor was polished to a shine, yet he subconsciously took half a step back upon seeing the Emperor.

Eunuch Wang De followed the young Emperor’s footsteps with a heart full of trepidation. He had originally been bought by Li Jue as an informant, but he had not expected that Li Jue would soon lose his head. The young Emperor had become the biggest winner, subduing the commanders Zhang Ji and Fan Chou, and using iron-fisted tactics to integrate the troops left behind by Li Jue and Guo Si, causing his own strength to soar once again.

He could only hope that no evidence remained of his past betrayal; otherwise, he did not know what fate awaited him.

Liu Xie paid no attention to Wang De’s strange behavior, as he could scan for loyalty at any time thanks to the system.

"His Majesty arrives!" Wang De announced loudly as they reached the hall.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live, long live, long live the Emperor!" Yang Feng and Xu Huang knelt in unison.

Liu Xie noticed a slight tremor in Yang Feng's voice; it seemed Jia Xu’s assessment was correct—Yang Feng realized the gravity of his situation. Standing behind him was a tall, sturdy youth with a face like a dark red date, clad in armor and an iron helmet, carrying a massive battle-axe on his back. Liu Xie felt a spark of interest.

"Rise, my loyal subjects," Liu Xie said, waving a hand while signaling the system to scan their stats.

*System, scan!*

**Yang Feng**
Command: 73
Might: 81
Intelligence: 67
Politics: 51
Charisma: 60

**Xu Huang, courtesy name Gongming**
Command: 91
Might: 93
Intelligence: 78
Politics: 69
Charisma: 77
Special Ability: **Spirit of Zhou Yafu**: When commanding cavalry, movement speed increases by 10%, unit Might +2, and the commanded troops will not rout.

*Hm?* Yang Feng had no special abilities? His stats were quite average, barely that of a colonel. Meanwhile, Xu Huang’s abilities were all geared toward military maneuvers, and his prowess in duels relied solely on his base stats. No wonder he had no particularly dazzling performances in historical duels.

The information flickered and vanished; Liu Xie quickly exited the system.

"General Yang," the young Emperor said with deliberate gentleness. "You deserve the highest merit for slaying the national traitors. What position do you desire?"

The candles in the hall flickered. Yue Fei’s silhouette had appeared in the shadows of the pillars. Yang Feng’s Adam’s apple bobbed violently. He caught a glimpse of the gilded tiger tally at Yue Fei’s waist and the list peeking out from Jia Xu’s sleeve. He suddenly fell to his knees with a thud.

"This subject... wishes to guard the city gates for Your Majesty!"

[Yang Feng’s loyalty +10, current 70]

"In that case, I appoint you Colonel of the City Gates, in command of the Five Schools of the Northern Army."

As Yang Feng thanked him and retreated with a stumble, Liu Xie looked at the youth behind him and asked, feigning ignorance: "This general is quite imposing and clearly possesses great strength. Who might you be?"

Xu Huang cupped his hands and bowed. "Your Majesty, I am Xu Huang, courtesy name Gongming, a platoon leader under Colonel Yang."

Liu Xie nodded to himself, impressed by Xu Huang’s steady reply. He then turned to Yang Feng: "General Yang, I am quite fond of Gongming. Would you be willing to part with him so he may serve as my personal guard commander?"

Yang Feng’s expression shifted, his voice tinged with anger: "Your Majesty’s will be done."

[Yang Feng’s loyalty -15, current 55]

Liu Xie watched Yang Feng without another word. Without military power, Yang Feng could be contained by a handful of soldiers; he would be unable to stir up any trouble.