Chapter 13: Li Jue and Guo Si Duel in Changan; The Emperor Establishes Anyi the New Capital

After Lu Bu’s defeat, he retreated to Dingtao with his remaining troops. Chen Gong advised against immediate retaliation, urging rest and recuperation. Considering his options, Lu Bu contemplated seeking aid from Yuan Shao, sending envoys to gauge his reception.

Meanwhile, Yuan Shao’s advisor Shen Pei warned him of Lu Bu’s threat, prompting Yuan Shao to dispatch Yan Liang with 50,000 troops to eliminate him. Hearing of this, Lu Bu turned to Liu Bei in Xuzhou for asylum.

Liu Bei welcomed him, despite objections from Mi Zhu, who labeled Lu Bu as cruel. Zhang Fei also expressed concern but agreed to prepare just in case. Liu Bei personally received Lu Bu outside the city, where Lu Bu expressed gratitude and pledged loyalty. Liu Bei even offered Xuzhou’s governorship, but Lu Bu, noticing Zhang Fei and Guan Yu’s glares, declined gracefully. Chen Gong supported Lu Bu’s decision, easing tensions.

The two sides feasted, but during Lu Bu’s banquet, Zhang Fei grew enraged when Lu Bu referred to Liu Bei as “younger brother.” Drunk and furious, Zhang Fei challenged Lu Bu to a duel. Liu Bei intervened, diffusing the situation, but Lu Bu decided to leave, fearing conflict with Liu Bei’s brothers.

Liu Bei persuaded him to temporarily settle in Xiaopei, offering provisions and supplies. Lu Bu accepted, and peace was restored.

Meanwhile, Cao Cao, having consolidated power east of Huashang Mountains, received honors for his campaigns. At the imperial court, Li Jue and Guo Si terrorized the Emperor with their tyranny. Officials Yang Biao and Zhu Jun devised a plan to sow discord between the two warlords, leveraging Guo Si’s jealous wife, Lady Qiong.

Lady Qiong, suspicious of Li Jue’s intentions, poisoned gifts sent to Guo Si, sparking mistrust. A bitter feud erupted, with both warlords mobilizing troops and fighting under the city walls. Amid the chaos, Li Jue’s nephew abducted the Emperor and Empress, fleeing to Meiwo. Guo Si’s forces pursued, plundering the palace and leaving the imperial family trapped between two warring factions.

With famine spreading, the Emperor requested food from Li Jue, who mocked the plea and sent rotten provisions. Yang Qi counseled patience, urging the Emperor to endure until help arrived.

The Emperor bowed silently, tears staining his garments. Suddenly, news arrived of a cavalry force approaching. Drums and gongs echoed as the Emperor sent to discover their identity, only to learn it was Guo Si. His hopes dimmed.

A fierce battle broke out between Li Jue and Guo Si, each accusing the other of treachery. When neither prevailed, Yang Biao intervened, proposing peace talks. However, Guo Si betrayed his guests, imprisoning many officials, which deepened the chaos.

Meanwhile, Li Jue turned to witchcraft, ignoring Jia Xu’s advice. The Emperor, desperate, tearfully sought Jia Xu’s help. Jia Xu promised to devise a plan and later persuaded the Qiang tribes to abandon Li Jue by spreading word of unpaid rewards. Li Jue, isolated, was offered the title of Regent Marshal, which pleased him but alienated his commanders.

Yang Feng and Song Guo, angered by Li Jue’s ingratitude, plotted against him. However, their conspiracy was uncovered, and Song Guo was executed. Though Yang Feng escaped, Li Jue’s forces continued to weaken under Guo Si’s attacks.

Zhang Ji eventually mediated peace, leading to the Emperor’s relocation to Hongnong. Along the journey, Guo Si attempted to seize the Emperor but was repelled by Yang Feng and the valiant Xu Huang, who slew Guo Si’s general. The Emperor praised Xu Huang, and Yang Feng ensured the cortege’s safety to Huaying.

Guo Si regrouped and besieged the Emperor’s camp. In a desperate moment, reinforcements led by Dong Cheng routed the attackers, securing the Emperor’s escape. Dong Cheng pledged loyalty, vowing to eliminate both rebels.

As Li Jue and Guo Si pursued, Yang Feng enlisted the White Wave rebels, promising amnesty. The united forces reclaimed Hongnong but suffered heavy losses. Li Jue and Guo Si retaliated with scorched-earth tactics, capturing forced conscripts they called “Dare-to-Die” soldiers.

Li Yue, one of the White Wave leaders, heroically defended the Emperor during a dangerous retreat. Forced to cross the Yellow River under relentless pursuit, the Emperor and Empress were lowered into a boat using silk from fallen soldiers. Many perished in the chaos, leaving only a handful of loyal attendants. The imperial party continued their flight, enduring hunger and hardship, until they found temporary refuge in Dayang.

Despite their suffering, the Emperor rewarded his protectors, appointing Li Yue and Han Xian to high ranks. As their journey persisted, two officials, Yang Biao and Han Rong, tearfully reunited with the Emperor and Empress, offering some solace amid the turmoil.