Volume One, Chapter Two: Newcomer's Gift Pack, Jia Xu Requests an Audience
The setting sun bled crimson as the last ray of light filtered through the carved window lattices of the Weiyang Palace, casting mottled shadows upon the blue stone floor. Liu Xie stepped across these fragmented patches of light, returning to his bedchamber. The hem of his bright yellow dragon robe brushed the ground, emitting a faint rustling sound.
“Withdraw,” the young emperor’s voice was soft, yet it immediately halted the footsteps of the attendants trailing closely behind him. He did not even keep his closest eunuch, Wang De, signaling all to leave the hall.
As the heavy palace doors slowly closed behind him, the tension in Liu Xie’s shoulders finally eased.
He hurried toward the inner chamber, the jade pendant at his waist clinking crisply with each quick step. His fingers unconsciously traced the dragon pattern engraved on the jade, knuckles whitening from the grip.
“System,” he whispered inwardly, his voice trembling slightly.
A pale blue light curtain unfolded before his eyes, and a cold mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
[Han Dynasty Revival System]
Current Host’s National Fortune: 0, Popularity: 0
Exchange Shop: Not yet activated
Liu Xie inhaled deeply. This system, suddenly appearing in his mind, might be his only hope to break free from the fate of being a puppet.
Since being installed as emperor by Dong Zhuo at the age of ten, the original Liu Xie had been a marionette for six long years—first manipulated by Dong Zhuo, and after his death, falling into the hands of warlords like Li Jue and Guo Si.
But now that I have transmigrated here, everything will change!
National Fortune points can be used to strengthen the host’s abilities: if attributes are below 60, each point of increase costs one National Fortune point; below 70, two points per upgrade; below 80, five points; below 90, ten points; between 91 and 95, fifty points per increment; beyond 95, improvements require tasks or rigorous training.
Every 100 National Fortune points allow one summoning; summoned figures can be directed, with maximum ability values ranging from 95 to 105. Each summoning brings five candidates into the pool awaiting summoning.
If a summoned figure’s attribute exceeds 100, system intrusion mode activates. The summoned figure will arrive accompanied by one to three others, who may or may not be affiliated. These accompanying or intruding personnel have maximum abilities between 90 and 100.
As for Popularity points, since the exchange shop is not yet open, Liu Xie had no way to experiment with them. Presumably, gaining Popularity points will unlock this feature.
Eyeing the generous system gift, Liu Xie rubbed his hands together.
“Open the first binding gift pack,” he said quietly, his voice laced with restrained anticipation.
A gilded gift box materialized in the void, slowly opening under his command, bathing the dim chamber in dazzling light.
[Ding! Congratulations, host. You have obtained the historical figure Zheng Sen, 200 National Fortune points, and a strategic dossier. Please check carefully.]
“Zheng Sen? The Sanbao General?” Liu Xie frowned slightly, unfamiliar with the name.
He retrieved the character card from the system’s repository, reading it carefully by the last daylight streaming through the window:
Zheng Sen, courtesy name Chenggong, also known as Sanbao
Command: 88
Martial Prowess: 86
Wisdom: 80
Politics: 71
Charisma: 70
Loyalty: 90
Special Ability: When commanding naval or waterborne operations, Command +3, subordinate troop combat strength +1, morale decline rate -20%.
Current Status: Host’s personal attendant.
A glimmer of delight flashed in Liu Xie’s eyes.
Though his knowledge of this general was scant, the attributes painted the picture of a rare talent, especially valuable now that he was isolated and vulnerable. Having a guard with over 80 points in martial prowess greatly enhanced his safety.
“System, retrieve my attributes,” he decided to first understand his own condition.
The light screen shifted accordingly:
Host: Liu Xie
Command: 37
Martial Prowess: 27
Wisdom: 71
Politics: 62
Charisma: 80
National Fortune: 200
Popularity: 0
Special Ability: Not activated
Liu Xie’s mouth twitched slightly.
These attributes likely ranked him just above Liu Chan—the much-mocked “unliftable A Dou”—and among emperors, he would undoubtedly be considered inept.
Especially that pitiful 27 points in martial prowess; no wonder even the palace eunuchs would openly disrespect him.
“Put everything into Martial Prowess!” he thought instinctively.
[Warning: Single attribute enhancement is not possible. Balanced development to 70 in all attributes is required before unlimited enhancement. Suggested: allocate 100 National Fortune points to strengthen personal abilities.]
The system’s warning brought Liu Xie back to reason.
He bit his lip, weighed his options, then accepted the system’s advice: “Enhance.”
As 100 National Fortune points dissipated, a warm current surged from his dantian to his limbs and bones.
Liu Xie stared at his arms in astonishment—the once thin limbs visibly thickened with muscle contours emerging.
At the same time, his mind sharpened; some political affairs that had puzzled him before now seemed clear.
Host attributes updated:
Command: 60 (37 + 23)
Martial Prowess: 60 (27 + 33)
Wisdom: 80 (71 + 9)
Politics: 62
Charisma: 80
Remaining National Fortune: 100
Most pleasantly surprising was a line of golden text appearing slowly in the special ability column:
[Mandate of Heaven’s Will]:
Effect 1: When in danger, 50% chance to trigger “Escape from Desperation,” granting a random temporary buff.
Effect 2: Gains 1 National Fortune point daily.
“I see…” Liu Xie murmured. No wonder, despite many perils, he survived and died peacefully in history—not because fate was against him, but thanks to this passive skill that saved his life.
“One hundred National Fortune points left…” Liu Xie paced to the bronze lamp tree, striking flint to ignite the lamp. The flickering flame cast shifting shadows across his face.
Summoning a historical general with ability above 95 was undoubtedly tempting.
Just as his finger was about to press the summoning button, the sudden clatter of armor and hurried footsteps came from outside.
“Your Majesty, Lord Jia Xu requests an audience!” a young stranger’s voice sounded from beyond the hall.
Liu Xie’s heart tightened. Jia Xu, Li Jue’s chief strategist, known as the “Poisonous Scholar,” arriving at this hour was no good omen.
He quickly closed the system interface, clutching the newly acquired strategic dossier within his sleeve as he turned.
The palace doors opened in response, admitting a young man unknown to him.
Around twenty years old, dressed as an attendant, yet bearing an imposing aura. His steady, powerful steps marked him as a trained fighter.
Liu Xie’s thoughts stirred, and he asked aloud, “What is your name?”
The youth bowed respectfully. “Your Majesty, I am Zheng Sen, courtesy name Chenggong. I am one of the old servants who accompanied Your Majesty from Luoyang to Chang’an.”
So this was the Zheng Sen summoned by the system!
Liu Xie scrutinized the newly arrived guard. The resolute loyalty shining in his eyes put him slightly at ease.
“How many of this group remain by my side?” Liu Xie inquired urgently, needing to understand his available manpower.
Zheng Sen maintained a respectful posture. “Currently, five remain, including myself—two eunuchs and three palace maids.”
Liu Xie nodded. “Very well. After court tomorrow, have them come to my study.”
“As you command,” Zheng Sen replied, lowering his voice, “Your Majesty, Lord Jia Xu has been waiting outside for some time…”
Liu Xie glanced at his reflection in a bronze mirror—once a hunched young emperor, now standing upright with an unprecedented gleam in his eyes.
He took a deep breath, voice steady and resolute:
“Announce!”
Zheng Sen immediately shouted, “By imperial decree, Lord Jia Xu is granted audience!” Then he retreated to the hall’s corner, hand on his sword, alert to the entrance.
Liu Xie looked at this loyal guard with a loyalty rating of 90 and felt a measure of comfort.
No matter the storms ahead, at least he was no longer alone.
The heavy palace doors opened once more, admitting a lean figure stepping into the night.
Jia Xu wore dark official robes, his expression calm as still water, but his eyes gleamed with a fox-like cunning.
“I am Jia Xu, to pay respects to Your Majesty.” His manners were impeccable, though his tone carried a hint of nonchalance.
Seated behind the table, Liu Xie unconsciously fingered the strategic dossier hidden in his sleeve.
He knew the first true test of his imperial life was about to begin.