Chapter Forty-Four: The Imperial Seal, Oh, the Imperial Seal...

Liu Bei returned with Chen Xi and the others, all wearing satisfied expressions, just in time to see a furious Cao Cao storming out.

“Greetings, Lord Cao,” Liu Bei said, dismounting and saluting him. He held great respect for Cao Cao, who had risked his life pursuing Dong Zhuo; after all, Cao Cao still retained loyalty to the Han dynasty.

“Lord Xuande,” Cao Cao sighed. “I, Cao Mengde, devoted myself to the public good, yet this is how I end up. Inside the camp, there’s singing, dancing, and endless revelry—who still remembers the pledges we made?”

“Lord Cao, why not call me by my courtesy name? Perhaps we two could have a good exchange. As for those inside the camp, to be honest, if not for Zichuan insisting I watch this spectacle, I would have already returned to Taishan Commandery,” Liu Bei replied with an air of grace.

“Very well, but this is hardly the place for a proper conversation. Let us go to the rear camp and discuss further,” Cao Cao said with a faint, bitter smile. Having suffered losses in his solo pursuit of Dong Zhuo and returned to ridicule, his frustration had driven him away, but meeting Liu Bei calmed him, and he was pleased to witness the lively scene Liu Bei described.

Chen Xi knelt to the left and behind Liu Bei, half-listening to their talk. These two, not yet turned into ruthless heroes, seemed to have much in common—so much so that one could imagine them becoming sworn brothers upon meeting. Even after their rise to power, their ambitions would still find alignment in many ways.

“I didn’t expect that under your command, Lord Xuande, you’ve managed to gather the Xiliang cavalry brought by Lü Bu,” Cao Cao said, somewhat envious upon hearing Liu Bei had quickly consolidated the once formidable but now battered Xiliang cavalry after his departure.

“Hahaha, Mengde, you flatter me. It’s not by my strength, but by Zichuan’s skill,” Liu Bei laughed heartily, amused that he was now considered a formidable force. He then explained Chen Xi’s strategy to Cao Cao.

The more Cao Cao listened, the more delighted he became. He finally applauded the plan, simple yet effective—it tightly exploited the distrust among Lü Bu, Dong Zhuo, and Li Ru, gradually cornering Lü Bu and ultimately igniting his suspicions.

“I underestimated Zichuan,” Cao Cao laughed aloud, though a hint of bitterness lingered. He recalled Chen Xi’s behavior at the initial alliance and his wandering among the warlords’ camps—it was clear Chen Xi was seeking a new master.

“That is undeserved, Lord Cao,” Chen Xi said calmly, curious about the strange atmosphere. Perhaps the next time they met, they would be at war, and he wondered if any courtesy would remain. He admired Cao Cao greatly; if not for the fear of raising suspicion, joining him would be the best choice.

“Brother!” At that moment, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei rushed in, shouting, “Brother, hurry to the main tent! Something serious has happened!”

“Why are you two in such a panic?” Liu Bei asked with some annoyance.

Just moments ago, Liu Bei had been in high spirits. Now, with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei bursting in, it was clear his command was lax. Still, since they were brothers sharing their livelihood, Liu Bei held no resentment, only a bit of frustration.

“Brother, it’s bad news! Rumor has it that Sun Jian has obtained the Imperial Seal and is secretly hiding it. The alliance leader is sending people to notify Sun Jian to come to the main camp. You must hurry!” Zhang Fei said in a flurry.

“What?” Liu Bei was startled and stood up immediately. Then he noticed Cao Cao beside him also rising, anger and shock evident on his face. Well, with this, it was clear no one would be offended if Liu Bei no longer acted as elder brother. Everyone understood, and no one took offense.

“Mengde, I’m sure you want to know the truth as well. Let’s go to the camp and see what’s happening,” Liu Bei said, taking a deep breath to calm his anger.

“Very well, but please wait for me a moment, Xuande. I’ll be right back,” Cao Cao said, saluting before hurrying away.

“Lord Xuande, no need for anger,” Chen Xi smiled. “The Imperial Seal certainly exists. The reason you weren’t informed is that among us, you are the only Han royal relative. If they want to seize the seal, they can’t do so in your presence.”

“Zichuan, how can you still smile? What are they planning? Seizing the Imperial Seal! Do they still respect the Han dynasty or the emperor?” Liu Bei said angrily. “The seal is a national treasure; it cannot fall into the hands of outsiders! It must be returned to the state and to the emperor!”

“Returned to the emperor? The emperor is still in Dong Zhuo’s hands. Even if the seal returns, it won’t reach the emperor. Lord Xuande, calm yourself. The seal is merely Li Ru’s second bait. If Luoyang is to halt the allied forces’ advance and fulfill their prior oath, then the seal is to divide and weaken—sow discord among the allies, forcing them to fight one another! And to tear away the Han’s last shred of dignity,” Chen Xi said bluntly.

Liu Bei was stunned, then stiffened as he sat down. After a long silence, he turned to Chen Xi and asked, “Zichuan, is it possible for me to obtain the seal?” Then, as if recalling something, he hurriedly clarified, “I mean, could I guard the seal until the day we rescue the emperor?”

“Impossible. At least for now,” Chen Xi shook his head. “Sun Jian will never hand it over, and he may even die because of it. The seal is just bait—a seemingly sweet lure.”

“Li Ru sees farther than anyone else in the camp because he knows the seal is just a token. If one day he sweeps through the eastern warlords like the First Emperor unified the realm, the seal will be but a mere trinket in his hand, destined to return eventually. If someone else conquers the lands, it too will be taken. Better to discard it now and extract every bit of value. Moreover, if the seal is destroyed, the conqueror will surely receive a new He Shi Bi jade, and the seal will be remade,” Chen Xi said as he watched Liu Bei struggle, helpless in his explanation. He truly couldn’t understand why anyone would fight so fiercely over a mere stone.

The Imperial Seal so important? Chen Xi didn’t think so. At most, he found it a pity that the legendary He Shi Bi jade from the land of the phoenix was carved into a seal. Fine jade should be preserved, not wasted as a stamp.

Did Qin Shi Huang really need such a seal? What a joke. Ying Zheng, who unified all under heaven and proclaimed himself the First Emperor, needed a seal to prove his merit or status? He could have carved one from brick and had everyone acknowledge it.

If possessing the seal meant ruling the world, would Dong Zhuo have caused so much trouble? And how did Qin Er Shi, the seal’s owner, get overthrown by Zhao Gao? The seal doesn’t represent the world—it’s a token at best. When your status no longer requires any prefix, it doesn’t matter if you have it or not. Lose it, remake it—why cling to such an illusion? Chen Xi was puzzled.