Volume 1, Chapter 3: The Fox of Troubled Times Begins to Scheme

The flames in the bronze lamp-tree within the hall flickered, casting Jia Xu’s gaunt, elongated shadow against the screen painted with a map of the mountains and rivers. The shadow swayed with the firelight, like a viper waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Liu Xie sat upright behind the desk, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the sandalwood surface. Utilizing the system interface, he calmly scanned the strategist before him:

[Jia Xu, courtesy name Wenhe]
Command: 86
Might: 48
Intellect: 98
Politics: 86
Charisma: 57
Loyalty: Li Jue 60, Han Dynasty 80
Special Ability: Fox of the Chaotic Era—Upon pledging allegiance, Intellect +2; when using schemes, may temporarily reduce the target's Intellect by 1-2 points.

Liu Xie’s heart skipped a beat. A loyalty rating of 80 toward the Han Dynasty? This was far higher than he had anticipated. The "Fox of the Chaotic Era" ability was even more astonishing—it was no wonder this man could navigate through multiple factions in these turbulent times and remain standing.

"Minister Jia, you come to see Me late at night. For what purpose?" Liu Xie deliberately allowed his voice to sound weary and indolent, as if he were merely a youth whose dreams had been disturbed.

Jia Xu smiled slightly, fine lines appearing at the corners of his eyes. "I apologize for disturbing Your Majesty’s rest, but it is because today, at the crowning ceremony, I saw that Your Majesty possessed an extraordinary bearing, much like that of the late Emperor. I came specifically to offer my congratulations."

Liu Xie felt a jolt of alarm. Today at the ceremony, he had been energized by the newly acquired system, and his behavior had indeed differed from his usual timid self. He had not expected this subtle change to be captured by Jia Xu.

"Oh?" Liu Xie feigned confusion. "I am the same as always. Minister Jia, you worry too much."

Jia Xu took a half-step forward, the candlelight casting two dancing glimmers in his eyes. "When Your Majesty accepted the crown today, your back was as straight as a pine; when General Li presented the imperial seal, Your Majesty’s movements were crisp and decisive. It was... quite different from the past."

With every sentence, Jia Xu took another small step, and by the time he finished, he stood three feet from Liu Xie's desk. This distance overstepped the courtly etiquette for a subject approaching his sovereign, carrying a distinct sense of oppression.

Liu Xie felt beads of cold sweat forming on his back. In the corner, Zheng Sen’s hand was already on the hilt of his sword, waiting only for a command. But to turn against Jia Xu now would be suicide—the palace was surrounded by Li Jue’s personal guards.

"System, use the 'Silk Bag Strategy'!" Liu Xie called out in his mind.

[Silk Bag Strategy activated successfully: In his youth, Jia Xu saved a drowning child, a secret known to no one. This can be used to move him.]

A flash of insight crossed Liu Xie’s eyes, and he suddenly changed his posture. He stopped hunching, straightened his back, placed his hands flat on the desk, and stared directly at Jia Xu with a gaze like a torch.

"Master Wenhe," Liu Xie said, suddenly changing his form of address, his voice steady and powerful. "I remember that your ancestral home is in Wuwei, Liang Province. In your youth, you saved a drowning Hu child near the Crescent Moon Spring there. Is this true?"

Jia Xu’s pupils contracted violently. He retreated half a step, a look of shock appearing on his face for the first time. He had never told anyone about this incident; there had been no one around at the time. How could the young Emperor possibly know?

"Your Majesty... how could you..." Jia Xu’s voice was dry.

Liu Xie pressed the advantage. "That child gave you a wolf tooth as a token of gratitude, which you have carried with you ever since, hidden in the silk pouch at your waist. Is that not so?"

Jia Xu’s hand moved involuntarily toward his waist, his expression flickering uncertainly. Under the candlelight, a thin layer of sweat broke out on his forehead. This secret was something that, besides himself, no other soul in the world should have known.

Liu Xie felt a surge of secret joy; the system’s "Silk Bag Strategy" was truly infinitely useful. He stood up and walked around the desk to stand before Jia Xu. This movement caused Zheng Sen to step forward nervously, but Liu Xie stopped him with a glance.

"Master Wenhe," Liu Xie said, his voice lowering but carrying an unquestionable weight. "I know you are no mere creature of a small pond. Li Jue is tyrannical and unprincipled; he is certainly no wise master. You possess peerless intellect, why waste your talents on such a man?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Jia Xu’s eyes—this Emperor was truly not simple!

Liu Xie immediately received a system notification:
[Jia Xu's loyalty to Li Jue -5, now 55]
[Jia Xu's loyalty to the Han Dynasty +5, now 85]

At that moment, Liu Xie felt a wave of dizziness, followed by another system prompt:
[Destined Ruler triggered! Obtained temporary buff 'Imperial Majesty': Charisma +10, lasting for one hour.]

Liu Xie felt a warm current surge through his entire body, and his temperament underwent an immediate transformation. His already handsome face now carried an added sense of majesty, and every gesture exuded a kingly air inappropriate for his age.

Jia Xu clearly noticed this change. He narrowed his eyes slightly, as if re-evaluating the young Emperor before him.

"Your Majesty... you are indeed different from before." Jia Xu’s voice held a hint of inquiry. "I wonder if Your Majesty’s words today were prompted by someone, or..."

Liu Xie stood with his hands behind his back, the moonlight from outside casting a silver silhouette on half his face. "Master Wenhe, who else in this world do you think could instruct the Son of Heaven?"

Jia Xu was silent for a moment before suddenly bowing in respect—a gesture far more reverent than before. "I have overstepped. It is just that..." He raised his head, his eyes flickering with a fox-like light. "If Your Majesty has grand ambitions, you must know that General Li holds great military power; it cannot be moved by words alone."

Liu Xie caught the probing tone in his words and felt a surge of inner delight. Jia Xu’s comment was an indirect admission that he was not blindly loyal to Li Jue.

"Military matters are the affairs of the state," Liu Xie said, walking slowly toward the window and looking at the firelight of the distant military camps. "I have heard that the old grievances between Li Jue and Guo Si have not faded, and they have recently been at odds over the uneven distribution of spoils. If someone were to mediate..."

A glint of light flashed in Jia Xu’s eyes. "Your Majesty means..."

"I need an army that is truly loyal to the Emperor," Liu Xie turned to look directly at Jia Xu. "Even if it is only a thousand men."

The hall fell into silence, save for the occasional crackle of the lamp wick. Jia Xu’s expression became unfathomable. Liu Xie could feel this "Fox of the Chaotic Era" rapidly weighing the pros and cons.

Suddenly, a meaningful smile curled the corners of Jia Xu’s lips. "Does Your Majesty know that among General Li’s forces, there is a thousand-man unit of the Imperial Guard? Nominally, they guard the palace, but in reality, they monitor Your Majesty. The commander of this force, Hu Che'er, was once a subordinate of Dong Zhuo and has long been dissatisfied with Li Jue..."

Liu Xie’s heart skipped a beat, and the system immediately prompted:
[Jia Xu's 'Fox of the Chaotic Era' ability triggered, Host's Intellect temporarily -1]
[Current Intellect 79 (80-1)]

Liu Xie felt a brief moment of mental fog, but he quickly regained his clarity. He was secretly shocked; if this was only an accidental application of Jia Xu’s ability, how terrifying would it be if he used his full power?

"Hu Che'er..." Liu Xie pondered the information. "Is he that Xiliang warrior who is skilled with twin halberds?"

Jia Xu looked slightly surprised. "Your Majesty actually knows of him?"

"Though I live deep within the palace, my ears and eyes are not closed," Liu Xie said vaguely, then shifted the subject. "If Master Wenhe can convince Hu Che'er to pledge his loyalty to Me, I will certainly not fail you."

Jia Xu stroked his beard and pondered, then suddenly asked, "I dare to ask, Your Majesty, this guard at your side... he looks very unfamiliar."

Liu Xie felt a tightening in his chest, but his expression remained unchanged. "Zheng Sen has been with Me for many years; he simply prefers to keep a low profile."

Jia Xu looked at Zheng Sen meaningfully, and the latter straightened his back, meeting his gaze with unyielding resolve. After a moment, Jia Xu nodded slightly. "A fine tiger of a warrior."

Liu Xie knew Jia Xu was evaluating his strength. He had to show more leverage to make this old fox commit.

"Master Wenhe," Liu Xie suddenly lowered his voice. "I know you have a son named Jia Mu, currently serving as the Magistrate of Chang'an County. If you are willing to help Me regain control of the court, I will certainly reward you greatly in the future."

Jia Xu’s expression changed instantly, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. Jia Mu’s appointment was a secret arrangement; even Li Jue did not know the details. How did the young Emperor know?

Without waiting for a response, Liu Xie continued: "And that cook from Jingzhou in your household—her sea bass sashimi is indeed a masterpiece."

Jia Xu’s hand trembled slightly. These private details, which only he should have known, were being spoken of by the Emperor as if they were common knowledge. At this moment, he completely shed his disdain, treating Liu Xie with the true courtesy of a subject for the first time.

"Your Majesty... is truly omniscient. I am impressed," Jia Xu bowed deeply. "Three days from now at noon, Hu Che'er will be training the Imperial Guards at the West Garden training ground. If Your Majesty can attend, you may find something of value."

Liu Xie was overjoyed, knowing Jia Xu had given his word. He nodded solemnly. "I will remember."

Jia Xu bowed again and prepared to leave, but as he turned, he suddenly looked back. "Your Majesty, I have one more question."

"Speak freely."

"Your Majesty... why did you suddenly tell me about saving that child in your youth?"

Liu Xie offered an inscrutable smile. "Heaven's secrets must not be leaked."

Jia Xu looked at Liu Xie for a long moment, his eyes rolling before he smiled. "Does Your Majesty know the number of Xiliang troops in Chang'an?"

Liu Xie shook his head as he looked at Jia Xu.

Jia Xu chuckled and said, "Li Jue has eighty thousand troops, Guo Si has sixty thousand, Fan Chou and Zhang Ji command thirty thousand each, and with various other minor generals, there are over two hundred and fifty thousand troops!"

Upon learning the true strength of the Xiliang army, Liu Xie’s pupils contracted sharply. Seeing Liu Xie finally reveal a look of shock, Jia Xu laughed heartily before bowing and exiting. The sound of the palace doors closing was exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

Once the footsteps faded, Liu Xie exhaled a long breath, his body almost going limp. Zheng Sen rushed forward to support him. "Your Majesty!"

"It is fine," Liu Xie waved his hand, his forehead covered in cold sweat. "Jia Wenhe truly lives up to his reputation. If not for..." He glanced at the system interface and did not finish his sentence.

[Jia Xu's loyalty to Li Jue: 50]
[Jia Xu's loyalty to the Han Dynasty: 90]
[Remaining time for temporary buff: Half an hour]

A faint smile appeared on Liu Xie’s lips. He had won this dangerous gamble, but Jia Xu had managed to regain his composure and land a blow of his own as he left. Truly, he was the Fox of the Chaotic Era—peerless in intellect and cunning as a fox!

Though the road to truly wielding power was still long, tonight he had successfully driven a wedge into the weakest point of Li Jue’s faction.

"Zheng Sen," Liu Xie suddenly asked, "are you skilled with twin halberds?"

Zheng Sen was startled, then replied, "Returning to Your Majesty, I am skilled in swordsmanship, but I have also studied the use of twin halberds."

"Good, very good." Liu Xie looked toward the West Garden, his eyes shining with ambition. "In three days, I want you to spar with that Hu Che'er."

The moonlight outside the window grew brighter, illuminating the determined face of the young Emperor. The night in Weiyang Palace seemed no longer so cold and dark.