Liu Xiu held a grand enthronement ceremony at Qianqiu Pavilion;
——thus taking the position of Emperor.
Now, Liu Xiu can be said to be the most powerful lord under heaven.
His enthronement ceremony was naturally highly anticipated.
Actually, Liu Xiu's purpose this time was also to demonstrate his power and let the lords across the land know what the Celestial Mandate truly was.
And this time, Liu Xiu was no longer stingy with his rewards.
Deng Yu, Feng Yi, and other meritorious generals were all granted titles, with fiefs ranging from several hundred households to multiple counties.
And Gu Xiao was among them.
He was granted the title of Shecheng Marquis, made General of the Restoration of Han, with a fief of four counties.
Actually, this grant was not very high.
But throughout the dynasties, founding emperors have always done this; with the land not yet unified, naturally, the grants wouldn't be too high.
To avoid reaching a point in the future where there are no titles left to grant.
However, the generals were quite pleased with this.
To be granted a title of nobility!
Just like that, they became nobility overnight.
For those who already had titles, it was nothing new, but for someone like Gu Xiao, who rose from humble origins, it was entirely different.
Gu Yi, however, was a bit surprised.
He didn't expect Liu Xiu to actually grant Gu Xiao lands in Hebei.
Although with the ensuing wars, his title was bound to rise, but it was likely to be deeply rooted in Hebei.
After thinking carefully, he understood Liu Xiu's intentions.
This was a move to maintain balance!
Using Gu Xiao, an outsider who rose from humble beginnings, to balance the clans of Hebei.
This was Liu Xiu's cleverness.
Although he was a member of the Han Dynasty's royal family, given his upbringing, he was well aware of the conflicts and drawbacks between the ruling class and the common people.
Although it was impossible for him to truly implement reforms that would exhaust himself.
But the art of balance.
Has always been at the core of an emperor's heart skill.
Regarding this, Gu Yi naturally wouldn't take any action.
As far as he was concerned, his goal was merely to ensure the family's legacy continued.
As for where to establish roots, it was inconsequential.
He only directed Gu Xiao to summon a painter, wanting to capture Liu Xiu's enthronement scene!
A national treasure!
If this thing could truly be passed down.
The Painting of Emperor Guangwu's Enthronement!
Just thinking about it felt terrifying!
When Liu Xiu saw the painter following Gu Xiao, he was a bit surprised.
But when Gu Yi explained that he wanted to document this event for future generations of the family, Liu Xiu was overjoyed.
He even said that once the painting was finished, it should be presented to him first.
He wanted to stamp it with his imperial seal and give it to Gu Xiao.
Though the Heirloom Seal of the Realm was still with Liu Xuan, since Liu Xiu had become Emperor, he naturally had his own imperial seal.
Hearing this, Gu Yi couldn't help but feel thrilled.
——The national treasure was secured!
....
In such turbulent times, peaceful days could hardly last long.
Even though claims to the imperial title rose throughout the land.
Wars across regions gradually reignited with the passage of time.
However, these individuals seemed cautious of Liu Xiu's power.
And did not engage in major conflicts with Liu Xiu.
Instead, they fiercely fought among themselves.
Especially between the Gengshi regime and the Red Eyebrow Army.
This was, in fact, inevitable.
Without Liu Xiu's strength, the Gengshi regime's power greatly diminished.
If they wanted to rival Liu Xiu.
They first had to resolve the issue of the Red Eyebrow Army and absorb their strength to be qualified to battle Liu Xiu.
Of course, that was their intention.
But now the Gengshi regime was no longer what it used to be; successive defeats had thrown the regime's internal affairs into great panic.
Furthermore, at this time, the Guanzhong region continuously suffered natural disasters.
The Three Auxiliaries were suffering a great famine, with people resorting to cannibalism, and bones strewn across the wild.
Right after Liu Xiu's ascension as Emperor;
King of Linqiu, Tian Li, and Duke Baihu, Chen Qiao, surrendered to Liu Xiu with their followers.
The Red Eyebrow Army simultaneously mobilized.
This plunged the Gengshi regime into chaos, leading to palace coups, and its fall was on the horizon.
In September;
——The Red Eyebrow Army captured Chang'an.
Liu Xuan, who intended to flee, was placed under house arrest by Yan Ben, forced to surrender to the Red Eyebrow Army.
The Gengshi regime was completely overthrown.
Simultaneously, Liu Xiu personally led an army to besiege Luoyang, and the defender Zhu Wei surrendered.
.....
"Report!!!"
"Your Majesty!"
"Urgent report from Chang'an: Fan Chong led his forces and captured Chang'an; Liu Xuan was bound by his subordinates and surrendered to Fan Chong."
"Now Liu Xuan has handed the Heirloom Seal of the Realm to Liu Penzi."
The urgent report shattered the celebratory atmosphere within Luoyang city, instantly calming everyone down.
Hearing this, Liu Xiu's brows immediately furrowed.
This was the Heirloom Seal of the Realm!
Every person of Huaxia knew the significance of the Jade Seal.
——Legitimacy!
In such times, the power of this word was unimaginable.
How could Liu Xuan be so incompetent, losing the city so quickly, and as an Emperor, even being bound by others and surrendering?
Truly disgraceful!
To Liu Xuan, this so-called family member.
Liu Xiu was indeed very disdainful.
After all, Liu Xuan had killed his brother.
But Liu Xiu's exceptional trait was his ability to suppress all his emotions for the sake of his greater cause.
Upon learning this news, he immediately convened a meeting to discuss the next steps.
"Everyone, the Red Eyebrow rebels are ferocious."
"They have now occupied Chang'an; Chang'an is the former capital of our Great Han, and must not be left in the hands of rebels!"
"My decision is made!"
"We must reclaim Chang'an, secure Guanzhong, and thereby stabilize the realm!!!"
Looking at everyone present, Liu Xiu did not hide his ambition in the slightest; his imperial aura was fully exposed.
But now, Liu Xiu indeed had this right.
Compared to the Liu Xiu in history, at present, his strength was far superior, entirely qualifying him to say something like this!